FRISCO MAIL NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 977, 25 August 1903, Page 3

FRISCO MAIL NEWS.

ELECTION OF POPE -PIUS X.

SOME EXCITING SCENES IN BOME. A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY. By Telegraph. (Per B.M.S. Ventura at Auckland.)

San Francisco, Aug. 6. Tho election of Pope Pius X. was a momentous event and bailed with enthusiasm the world around. The following cablegrams describe some of tho ceremonies connected with it: —Borne, Aug. 4: Cardinal Sarto was this morning elected Pope and assumed the title of Pius X. The new Pope appeared in St. Poter’s, where, amidst excitement, he pronounced his first Papal Benediction. Many thousands witnessed the historic scene, and signified their approval of tho ohoice of the Cardinals by tumultous oheering. , „

Tho usual largo crowd assembled beforo St. Peter’s at about 10.30 a.in. to await tho rising of the smoke from the sistine. Several hundred carriages stood in tho blistering sun, which soemed hotter than ever. The colonnades were blocked with peoplo, but evon there anxious watchers could scarcely escape from tho severe heat. When tho 11.13 o’clock struck the crowd loft its shelter and stood bravoly in tho sun in tho belief that tho smoke would appear within a few minutes, as it has consistently given its signal at about this hour since the conclave commenced. Minutes spod on and still no smoko was soen. When tho bells sounded 11.30. the and otbora left their carriages and joined tho watchers on tho stops of tho basilica inside St. Poter’e. Many also were waiting and the suspense brought thousands running from - the near by streets.

sweets. Tho delay on the fourth morning of tho conolave being intorprotod to mean that a •decision had at length been arrived at, troops spread themselves across tho square, and nervous anticipation possessed them all. Hundreds of surmises passed from mouth to mouth, and tho minutes seemed like hours. St. Peter's boomed out the threequarters of an hour, and there was still no sign, but a Bdcond later the groat central window of Sc. Poter’a facing tho piazza swung slowly opon, and a loud shout aroso. All rushed madly towards the cathedral. At the open window half a dozon Vatican attendants appeared. Suddenly there broke out into the fierce sunlight a gorgeous banner boating a cardinal's arms, lteinforcoments of troops crossed the Piazza, and at double quick I thoy closed their rauks and hold back 1 many who strained overy nerve to get j close to tho window. j

For a minuto orso none know to which * cardinal belonged tho arms so significantly \ displayed. Then the rumor aiose that c they were Satto’s, but few persons wore ■ absolutely sure of their identity. The { tension was soon relieved. Cardinal ' Maeehi, in his cardinal robes, carrying a 3 . large red book and preceded by a glittering f cross, appeared at the window. A wild 1 shout went up. Cardinal Macchi waved t both hands for silence. In a second a & solemn hush fell on the scone, broken 11 only by a sharp word of command from an v • offioer and the rattle wherewith the troops brought their rifles to present. *' In clear tones Cardinal Macohi read tho t: ■ preamble, the peoplo below being scarcely 0 able to sustain themselves until he reached 1 the word 11 Sarto,” when a terrific roar n went up. Those out of hearing of tho l f Cardinal’s voioe joined in tho aoolamation, S 1 i and the whole square became one mass of tl men and women throwing their hats in e the air and shoutiDg and cheering at the P top of their vbioos. 01

Vainly the Cardinal waved his hand for silence. The long pent-up feelings of those who had watched the 11 fumala ” for four days now found an outlet, and for some minutes thoy could not be suppressed. Finally it was quiet enough for Cardinal Macohi to proceed, and say that the new Pontiff dad taken the name of Pius X.

Then with a blessing on the crowd tho Cardinal disappeared from the window, and the attendants quickly drew up the banner. After a short rest imposed by the fatigue and emotion of his election, Pins X. joined his court in the ducal hall for the solemn Benediction which he was about to give to the people of Borne. Although to ordinary eyes the confusion was as great as ever, to those practised in the mysteries of tho Vatican order was coming out of chaos, and the bearing of all in the presence of the Pope was much more formal. The babel of voices sank at his approach, while none addressed him unless ho spoke first. Formal salutations having terminated the procession was formed. In the centre was the Pontiff in his white robes, his I figure standing out above those surrounding him, and his silver hair gleaming under the white cap. He was surrounded bv Cardinals still in their violet robes, and

preceded by a Pontifical cross, the jewels of which flashed as though they also triumphed in Sarto’s succession, while the conclavists and prelates seemed really jubilant in their way and satisfaction. The procession traversed many noble halls until it approached the window looking into St. Peter’s.- 1 Prom below rose a murmur of voices, whioh, although subdued because distant, denoted the presence ■ j of a large concourse of people. The Pope was seen to grow pale, and then turning to Cardinal Baoiliri, who stood beside him, he said: “ Now, I understand the emotions Pope Leo always showed when going into y St Peter’s to have the eyes of a great crowd focussed upon him; it is most terrifying.” Standing forward in the iS window, others having fallen back, he deliberately controlled himself and looked across the great basilica. Crossing himself’Sarto raised his ha nd < and 1Q a | voice palpably tremulous he sald |

in Latin, as Boon as the cries {row below gave an opportunity, “ Hoar ub in the name of the Master.” To this came in reply from thousands of voices “ Who made heaven and earth.” In thrilling j voice the Pope responded, “ May the name of tbo JVlastor be blessed. Then raising himself to Jois full height and leaning forward as much as possible he intoned, “ May the omnipotent God bices you, etc.” which called forth such applause that several minutes elapsed before the Pontiff could retire. He thon drew back and turned to the ducal hall. Eulogies of Pope Leo are sounded on every side, and volumes are being written descriptive of his remarkable life. Hi 3 character was so lofty as to inspire respect Pvnfnqhanfca na wMI t.hn fnUnwinc? of

Xrruuuau»uuo u.a «ou ua iiud iuiiu v* *-»* Jljs Catholic faith. The Archbishop of Ireland, in paying a tribute of praise for Leo, said that pp other man reigDed at the dawu of the tweptjptb century as Leo reigned. It was a supreme triumph of moral power, a triumph of justice, In numerous Protostant churches the kindliest mention was made of Leo from the pulpit, and prayers for him went up from the lips of ministers and congregations. Leo in his last moments was deeply touched on hearing of this attitude of Protestants towards him. The world is to-day better for the sweet kindliness begotten in it by Leo.