ANNIVERSARY OF THE POPE'S CORONATION. Imposing Ceremonial at Rome.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 199, 16 April 1887, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY OF THE POPE'S CORONATION. Imposing Ceremonial at Rome.

A despatch from Rome of March 4th aaya j — " Yesterday was the tenth anniversary of the coronation of the Pope, and the occasion wasfcejjptfratfcd with great ceremony at Sifr. PeteTrd^^he Pope said a mas.i in ttie Sixtins ChapeJ, this being/the only occasion la the year when/ he appears with the Papal tiara on Ms -head. The garb of Lent was thrown aside for the time being an^d tjie grand altars were decorated in grand rtyle. The* grand Pontifical Mass was set for 11.30' a.m., but long before that time' the chapel was crowded. The Swiss Guards appeared in their handsome uniforms, and the em* bassadora and Church dignitaries occupied front pews. The scene when the procession entered the great sanctuary was magnificent. Preceded by ceneora and crocs- bearers, came a long line of prelates in gorgeous apparel. Every eye in the vast audience gazed expectantly toward the sacrist jafl the pro. cession passed through into the* Sanctuary » Toward the end of the brilliant retinue appeared the - white-robed figure of the Pope*, borne on the sedia, the great white ostrich* feather ,-, r fans, or flabellf, as they are called, being borne on either sido of his chair. As he entered the sanctuary His Holiness bowed bis head and solemnly raising his hand made, the sign of the cross. This moment afforded an excellent opportunity to study the man who now is the head of bhe Catholic Church. The pictures seen of him in America do not do him justice. They portray him bowed and feeble with old age, but do not show the keen intellectuality of expression and the brilliant black eyes which light up his countenance and which have lost none of their youthful brightness. His features are strongly marked, but there is a paternal expression, about his countenance which evokes confidence and admiration. The great white robe he wore completely enveloped his frail frame. When he descended from the sedia and walked toward the altar his feebleness became apparent. His strength is sustained by his will power. The Pops intoned the " Gloria " in a voice, of surprising firmness. His movements ia celebrating the mass were slow and majestic. The entire service was the quintessence of splendour in the Catholic ceremonial, Thft music was of a high order. The Pops pronounced benediction on a kneeling throng of prelates, priests, embaeeadors and laymen.