Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-24
POPE |NAUGURATES
COLLEGE AT ROME
Surprise Exit From Holy City
Is First for Public Rites
in so Years.
BY the Associated Press.

by tine ASSOClateu Press
ROME, April 24.-Surprising Rome
and the Catholic world, Pope Plus XII
today made an unannounced excursion
from Vatican City to preside in person
at, the Inauguration of the new Propa-
ganda Eide College, whose construction
was largely financed by the archdiocese
of Chicago
It was the second time since 1870
that Pope had left Vatican territory
and the first time in so years that
pontif had officiated at a public cere-
mony outside his own precincts.
The visit which Pope Plus made to
St. John Lateran Church in December,
1929, was for private celebration of
the fiftieth anniversary Of his first
mass.
Cardinal Mundelein Ohficiates.
Up to an hour before he left the
Vatican today scarcely any one knew
of his intention. So secret was his
plan that even Cardinal Pacell, the
papal secretary. reached the college for
the ceremony without knowing that the
Pope was coming. The brief excursion
began just before IL o'clock.
Cardinal Mundelein Of Chicago,
whose archdiocese contributed 81 $780,
600 to the new college, oficiated at the
dedication ceremonies.
The pontif left the Vatican City by
a side portal in the walls of the tiny
state. He Travelled in his car, in which
he sat alone, except for a chauffeur.
A score of other cars following the
pontifica1 vehicle bore his suite and
cardinals.
The molly fathers departure from the
walls was exactly at 1887 am. (4:57
am, Eastern standard time), and in
two minutes he had arrived at the new
college, passing en- route before the
American Catholic College.
Great cheers came from the crowd
assembled at the college buildings for
the dedication as the pontif appeared
and all uncovered and knelt
Cries of Long live the Popei" lasted
while the group of cardinals and prel-
ates greeted the pontiff at the entrance
to the new building. Cardinal Munde-
lein was among the first Of the church.
men to kneel and kiss the pontif s
ring.
KneeIs at Chapel.
The Pope alignted from his car and
followed the cardinals into the college
chapel, where he knelt before the sac
rament for several minutes while the
choir chanted. Cardinal Mundelein was
at his left and Cardinal Pacelli, the
papal secretary Of state, on his right
He then rose and went to the papal
throne, the choir chanting. Mgr. Gao
cha Dominioni, the papal majordomo,
and Mgr. CremoneSi, the papal almoner,
assisted at the papal throne.
AS the Pope entered the chapel he
passed through packed rows of kneel-
ing attendants. He wore a white skull
cap, a red mantle with an ermine COL
lar and his sculptured gold cross.
Thanks Americans.
After Cardinal Won Rossum, project
OF the congregation for propagation of
the faith, had thanked his holiness for
coming to the dedication. the pontiff re-
piled: You do not have to thank us, for
this Inauguration is important enough
to warrant our presence here"
The pontif recalled the occasion
when he had blessed the cornerstone of
the college before it was fixed into
place. He Thanked all who had come
to assist in the dedication, especially
those who came from long distances, a
reference to Cardinal Mundelein and
other Americans.
Then, while all knelt, the Pope i'm
parted his blessing. Immediately he
left the throne and proceeded to bless
the four parts Of the chapel. He then
reascended the throne, the choir sing
ing, and, after giving his final benedic-
ton, left the chapel
From the chapel he went to the
auditorium and occupied his throne,
while there came and knelt before him,
kissing his ring members of the fac
ulty, archbishops and students Of the
college, many of whom are Americans
from Chicago.
While the Pope blessed the audi
forum CT the College of the Propa-
ganda Eide, the Australian director Of
the College Choir Orchestra, Mr..
Lynch, played a violin solo.
The solo so moved his holiness that
when the artist had concluded he
thanked him personally.
Two hours after leaving, the Pope
was back in the Vatican