ROMAN PAGEANT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20132, 29 December 1939, Page 7

ROMAN PAGEANT

POPE VISITS KING RARE POMP DISPLAYED PROCESSION TO PALACE FLAGS SIDE BY SIDE (Elec. Tel. Copyright—XT nit oil Press Assn.) (Reed. Dec 29, 11.20 p.m.) ROME, Dec. 28. With a rare show of papal pomp and royal ceremony, the Pope visited the King and Queen of Italy, repaying the recent royal visit. The bells of Saint Peter’s rang out as the Pope set out from the Vatican at 10 a.m. A royal mission in Saint Peter's Square conveyed the first greetings from Their Majesties, after which the Pope and his suite entered 18 cars forming the papal cortege The Governor of Rome, in greeting the Pope on the border of Italy and the Vatican, said that tile visit symbolised the drawing together of the eagle of the Roman Empire and the cross of the Roman Catholic ChurchTroops Line Route The route to the Quirinal was elaborately decorated and lined with troops behind whom stood great crowds. The Pope) who wore his scarlet hat, frequently gave the papal blessing to the crowds. Cardinal Maglione and 40 high dignitaries also took part in the procession.

Their. Majesties received the Pope at the palace. The Pope accompanied Their Majesties to the throne room, where on three thrones they conversed for some time, while the papal retinue mixed freely with the court in the anteroom. The papal and royal standards floated side by side above the Quirinal.