POPE ENTHRONED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 March 1939, Page 5

POPE ENTHRONED

CORONATION CEREMONY IN ROME HUGE CROWDS ASSEMBLE ■ IN ROME. ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) VATICAN CITY, March 12. The coronation of the Pope began at 7.15 a.m. The spectators cheers, applause and shouts of "Long live the Poge!” almost drowned the choir as the Pope, seated upon the chair of state was carried into the Basilica. With hand upraised in blessing and smiling benignly on the cheering crowd the Pope passed up the church and sat upon the white throne, cardinals, archbushops and bishops paying homage. Then high mass was celebrated. the Pope taking the holy eucharist standing, not kneeling, as is customary. Silver trumpets rang out as the Pope performed the act of consecration, using the golden chalice that his predecessor had used daily and had bequeathed to him. At the end of the mass the Arch-Priest of St Peter's presented the Pontiff with a white purse containing twenty-five gold coins, the usual offering for “this well-sung mass.”

There was thunderous applause and almost delirious manifestations of loyalty from a congregation of 60,000 people within the Basilica as the glittering procession was re-formed. The Pope, mounted on a chair, was borne down the nave and sat motionless with upraised right hand. The procession disappeared into the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament basilica. The gates were then reopened and the congregation streamed out in the square and joined thousands waiting to watch the actual coronation on the balcony. Ten thousand Italian troopers patrolled the streets leading to St Peter’s Square before dawn today and prevented those not holding tickets from entering the square to witness the coronation before the 50,000 ticketholders. Tickets inscribed “Gratis” were selling for £lO each. Signor Mussolini was absent from the coronation at which Count Ciano, Italian Foreign Minister, is representing the Government. Herr Hitler was represented by the German, Ambassador at the Vatican, Doctor von Bergen.

PAPAL BLESSING AN ENORMOUS CROWD. (Received This Day, 10.25 a.m.) ■ROME, March 12. The crowd which the Pope blessed after his crowning is estimated at 750,000. TRIPLE CROWN CEREMONIAL IN ANCIENT FORM. (Received This Day, 10.30 a.m.) VATICAN CITY, March 12. There was a fanfare of trumpets as the Pope appeared on the balcony and slowly climbed to the throne and reverently placed his mitre in the hands of the Cardinal Deacon. The Dean of the the Sacred College appeared holding on a cushion of white silk the triple gold crown of St Peter, which he slowly placed on the Pope’s head, chanting the ancient words: “Holy Father, receive this tiara with three crowns and know thou are the father of princes and kings throughout the world and Vicar of Our Saviour, Jesus Christ, to whom is glory and honour throughout the ages.” The Pope raised his arms to heaven thrice, made the sign of the- Cross, blessed the kneeling thousands and granted a plenary indulgence to all who heard or witnessed the coronation. With one voice the crowd cried: “Long live the Pope!” and after a minute’s acknowledgement, his Holiness left the balcony for the sacristy. The crowd slowly left the square, which returned to its age-old silence. The actual crowning took seven minutes.