ROME GREETS POPE

Shannon News, 12 March 1929, Page 4

ROME GREETS POPE

PEOPLE’S EMOTION.

(Published in “The Times.”) LONDON, February 12

(“Hail Pope and King Pius,” was the triumphant shout, accompanied by handclapping and the waving of handkerchiefs, from a congregation of 50,-. 000 pilgrims and worshippers of all nationalities, which filled.St. Peter’s Cathedral, when Cardinal Locatelli celebrated the anniversary of the Pope’s coronation with every accompaniment, of reverential pageantry. This was the traditional greeting to the Pope before the loss of temporal power. The Pontiff was carried to the Cathedral, aiid along the nave, in the gestatorial chair, flankefd with slowlywaving ostrich feather fans, the resplendent pomp of the procession being enhanced by the scarlet clad Cardinals, uniformed soldiers, and ecclesiastical and lay attendants in gorgeous _ costumes, many of which were medieval. The congregation occupied. every space on the vast floor to hear the jubilee Mas 3, which, hitherto, has been celebrated in the small Sistine chapel. DECREE OF ABSOLUTION.

The assemblage included Edda, dau _ ghter of Mussolini, General Nobile, commander of the ill-fated _ Italiaj King Gustav, of Sweden, Grenadier officers were' present in uniform, for the first time since 1870.

The Vatican Chapter, headed by Cardinal Merry del Val, met the Pope at the Chapel of 'the ; Sacrament, and invested him with the sacred regalia and triple crown. He was then conveyod to the altar and took his seat on the Papal throne. After Mass, a decree was read out granting full absolution to those present. '

The 100,000 spectators assembled, by means of posters displayed throughout Rome over night, stretched as far as the eye could see. The spectators waited for four hours in the pouring rain until the Pope, varying his programme to do so—it i 3 believed at Mussolini’s express request —blessed the crowd from the balcony of St. .Peter’s. The square had been a vast expanse of umbrellas but a wave of emotion swept the concourse, and they shouted, “Down with the umbrellas! Hats off! ” as the whiteclad, crimson-mantled figure -of the Pope, escorted by a number of Cardinals, stepped on the balcony. The troops presented arms and bands played : a triumphal march. After this a hush fell, as priests, nuns, monks and women sank to their knees, and others bared their heads to receive the benediction which the Pope pronounced again and again.

A storm of cheers broke forth as Pope JPius remained for a few minutes surveying the sea of faces. He took off his crimso'n hat twice, and waved it, delighting the crowd with the unexpectedness of his gesture. The spectators slowly (dispersed, thousands proceeding to the Foreign Office, to cheer Mussolini, who had effaced himself, preferring that the honours of the day should be shared by the Pope and King Victor. The Pope, ir. recognition of Cardinal Gasparri’s services in the conciliation of Church and State, has presented him with a gold, diamond and ruby cross.

The gestatorial chair is the chair in Which the Pope is carried on' ceremonial occasions. ■