Evening star., 1939-03-12

VATICAN CITY, March IL (Sun-
day. Thousands upon thousands
of the faithful thronged st. Peters
Square before dawn today for the
coronation of Pope Plus XII, prob
ably the most widely awaited in
vestiture in Catholic history.
AS the cold. clear dawn broke
over the ancient Sabine Hills, thou
sands of others were streaming to-
ward the Basilica and the large, IA
nous plaza before it.
They went on foot, bicycle, trans
buses. automobiles and horse drawn
carriages
Guards halted vehicles at Castle
SAINT Angelo, a half mile from the
Basllica Only those who had cor
onation tickets were allowed to con-
tinue. Most of the traffic was stopped
on each side of the Tiber River
bridges.
Many of the pedestrians carried
camp stools against the long wait
before them. The early comers
iostled for places on the steps en-
circling st. Peters Square.
Millions at Radios.
Special guards went on duty at
midnight. Swiss Guards had taken
their places at approaches to Vati-
can City.
Besides those fortunate enough to
have tickets permitting them to
enter the Basilica for the pontifcal
mass beginning at 8:15 am. 2:15
am. E. S. t., and those awaiting
a glimpse of the actual coronation
ceremony about four hours later on
an outside balcony of st. Peters,
millions more throughout the world
expected to sit at their radios to
hear the impressive, solemn cere-
mony of investiture.
The weather had given indications
Of being untoward, but as the first
pilgrims reached the Basilica it was
clear. There were hopes for pleas
ant day.
Those who had no binoculars knew
that the figures participating in the
brief spectacle on the balcony might
be almost indistinguishable in the
distance. but they trudged along
toward the great church with cheer
tul enthusiasm and expectancy.
40 Countries Send Missions.
Missions from 40 countries came
to represent their governments at
the coronation of sovereign who
relgns over the worlds smallest
state-the 100 acres of Vatican City
but over one of its greatest spir-
1tual domains, the church of $780,
100000 Catholics.
Among them was Joseph P. Ken
nedy, United States Ambassador to
London. the first official representa-
tive of the United States at a papal
coronation in SO years.
Britain was represented by her
premier earl, the Duke of Norfolk.
and Ireland by her prime minister,
Eamon de Valera.
Fifty princes and princesses of
royal blood had seats within the
vast basilica for the four-hour cere-
mony. one of the longest rituals of
the church. They included two for
mer Kings, Alfonso of Spain and
Ferdinand of Bulgaria.
Ciano to Represent Duce.
Crown Prince Umberto of Italv
was designated as representative of
his father. King Vittorio Emanuele,
and Count Galeazzo Ciano, Italian
foreign minister, represented his
1ather-in-laW, Premier Mussolini
Pope Plus yesterday named Luigi
Cardinal Maglione, former nuncio
to Paris, as papal secretary of
State. For the position he had oc-
cupied until the College of Cardinals
elected him successor, March 2, to
the late Pope Plus XI, the new
pontiff chose an experienced dip
lomat whom he had known as a
fellow student for the priesthood.
Cardinal Maglione. 81, is just one
year younger than the Pope and
they long have been intimate
friends. Both are Italian, both
diplomats and both long expert
enced in European diplomatic af-
fairs.
A French prelate Pierre Cardinal
Gerlier, Archbishop of Lyon. was