Evening star., 1949-12-25

CUT.
the Holy Year-jammed the vast
edifice where the church's jubilee
began IL hours earlier.
The tumult of Communist-leo
disorders which had mingled with
the pealing Of Roman church
bells, seemed far away within
these consecrated walls.
The faithful. crowded elbow to
elbow, bowed their heads beneath
the enormous vaulted ceiling OF
the worlds greatest church.
On every side myriad lights
reflected from the multi-colored
marble columns and the gold OF
mosaics.
Holy Door Unsealed.
The Pope began the jubilee year
by unsealing the holy door of st,
Peters Basilica, the worlds larg-
est church, in ceremony that
drew about 10000 persons. In the
church view. this is symbolic OF
"a sign from heaven"
The holy door Is a section IN the
wall of the Basilica, removed by
pulleys and wheels at the be-
ginning of the jubilee, and re-
built at the end. The Holy Year
normally fixed every Is years. is
a time in which faithful pilgrims
to Rome are promised plenary in
diligence, meaning pardon OF pun
ishments due for past sins.
Even as the Pope struck the
doors gilded cross with a silver
hammer, the gift of Italian Cath
olic iaborers. Communicated
workers demonstrated elsewhere
in the Eternal City.
One group of extremists stoned
the embassy of Catholic Spain
and shouted Death to Franco"
They overturned an American Sc
dan parked in front Of the build
ing, shattering the car windows.
Riot squads dispersed them.
Communist Strike Cancelled.
Communists ordered, and then
called off, a general strike in Rome
province after wrangling with
police over their right to hold a
labor rally near the Basilica OF
st. Mary Major, two miles from
the Vatican, where cardinal was
opening another holy door. The
rally was smothered. Only a few
hundred persons, in all. were in
volved.
The episodes. however, indicated
q Communist determination to
hamper observance of the year.
The Pope recognized this antag-
onisrn yesterday, in his Christ
mas appeal that all Christians
join the Catholic church.
with good reason" he said,
"men are anxious about the ef-
frontery with which the united
front Of militant atheism ad-
vances."
The Cominform, whose Soviet
Influenced countries contain 50,-
100000 Of the worlds 400, 900, ,00o
Catholics. has proclaimed a boy
colt against the jubilee.
10000 Pilgrims Attend.
The opening of the holy door al
st. Peters recalled to Catholics
Christ's words: "I am the door
who enters through me shall be
saved"
Within the Basilica, in the rec.
tangular atrium (court) and ir
st. Peters Square, the Thousands
gathered. Among them were the
first 10000 pilgrims from outside
Rome.
About 100 American sailors ane
marines were in the crowd inside
They were from American nava
vessels anchored at Naples. My.
ron c. Taylor, President Truman''
personal representative to the Vat
ican, was among notables assem-.
bled in the atrum.
Rich velvet draperies hung from
the facade Of the church.
Historic pageantry and splendol
blended with modern science II
the rites. Television and a world
wide radio hookup told the stor!
to millions as it happened.
Pope Carried to Atrium.
High on his red and gold chair
the pontiff was carried to tn
atrium. AS he was framed for ,
moment in the doorway, his arm
were spread wide in greeting.
hushed silence fell on the bustlin,
thousands, only to be broken b.
the traditional shout viva !
Papa uong live the Pope).
The ceremony. first institute,
by Pope Boniface VIII in 1900
was completed in 81 minutes will
opening Of the door and the Pope
crossing Of the threshold.
A microphone was within inche
Of the head Of the silver hamme
as the pontiff raped three time
and recited the traditional prayer
Beforehand, the massive piec'
of masonry had been loosened
Pulleys had been attached ant
wheels tied inside. The Pope has
(See HOLY YEAR. Page A-4.)
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