The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1958-04-04
Grounded Audiences
profound, Noisy Act O. Faih

A unique and sincerely relig-
ious ceremony, the event week
after week is a personal and
moving experience both for the
Pope and those who have come
to see him. =
The Pontiff does not enter the
long, high audience chamber un-
til noon. But the crowd begins
collecting at 9 am. Before the
bronze doors on the right of st.
Peters swing back to admit the
faithful, groups standing in st.
Peters Square start recitation
of the Rosary or sing bits of
hymns.
Passing the Swiss Guards
the crowd speaks = dozen Ian.
gvages and wears clothing
from all over The world. In
dian ssris, black lace mantil-
las and German Lederhosen.
as we'll as business suits, file
by the Guards in their blue
and yellow uniforms which
MiehaeIsnseIo designed.
Pilgrims and sightseers fun
mel up the Royal Stairs" climb
ing the unseen slope of Vatican
Hill and pour into the Royal
Salon. a reception room GOV
cred with murals of old bat
ties.
The forward thrust of the
crowd slows as the people begin
TO present their admission tick.
cts to papal chamberlains in
crimson uniforms.
The chamberlains, imposing
in their formal knee brooches
and aided by long experience
keep the crowd in order and
move it to the right Or left in
quick time. The bulk of the
crowd flows down the sides of
an aisle kept clear by wooden
barbados. Persons with special
tickets march up the aisle and
take their place among spaces
saved for dignitaries, pilgrim
ages and special religious
groups.
The Pope's gilt throne sits on
a floodlighted dais b h n d
which scars a crimson curtain
and a gold trimmed canopy.
The long rectangular room is &C
tually the second floor of the
vestibule of st. Peters. Ii runs
across the full face OF the great
church's facade.
While waiting for the Pope.
some groups intone hymns, q
favorite being the Lourdes
Hymn. Some recite the Rosary
in Latin or an famil
tongue. Most stand and try tc
edge forward to the aisle. Talk.
ing is general and good humor'
ed, with travel notes being com
pared. Occasionally som e o n {
tries to perch on the bases Of
the ornamental columns lining
the room until guards shoe
them off.
The Pope's arrival is announc
ed by a trumpet of voices. A
tidal wave of sounds breaks as
trance to the hall, high on his
portable throne.
Dignitaries and special guests
mount their chairs and every
one cheers and claps. Shouts oil
viva Papa, Viva Papa" thunder
off the ornate walls. Shouts ant
cheers roll in waves as the Pope
and his bearers slowly move for
ward.
Moving his long arms in
gestures. the Pope touches
appraised children. He leans
FAR over the side Of his chair
to do 50. The hands move con.
tinuously. touching sfrsinins
j, hands holding rosaries, med
ais, books. Throughout the
long procession to the throne,
the Pope constantly raises his
hands to bless. to touch. to
respond warmly to people Of
ten close to tears.
Speaking Italian, the Pope
chats with pilgrims luck,
enough to get his attention ovel
the general hubbub. He &C
knowledges many Of the spon
taneous cheers which break on
as he passes special groups will
the familiar Italian gesture il
which the hands make a "com,
hither motion" To American
it looks as if he is motionin,
keep it up" Actually it is tn,
Italian gesture of come to m,
heart"
AT. last seated on his throne
the Pope delivers a short speecl
in Italian and then addresse
the various visiting nationali