VISITED BY POPE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 279, 7 September 1936, Page 7

VISITED BY POPE.

TOMBS OF PREDECESSORS. Pope: Pius visited the tombs of his predecessors in the grottoes under St. Peter’s on June 28, and meditated on the place lie has chosen tor himself says the “New York Times.” On the eve ol the fete day of St. Peter, tlie first Pope, Pius Xl, now in his eightieth year, knelt at the tomb of Peter and prayed. He thereby followed a custom of more than sixty years. But the visit was deeply significant in view of the Pope’s age and the belief he has "expressed that he may not have long to live. Only a small group, of ecclesiastics and Swiss and noble guards attended che Pope as he descended from his apartments Into St. Peter’s by an elevator reserved for himself. All other persons were escorted from the great Basilica and the doors were closed The edifice was completely Humiliated. Pope Pius walked directly to the Altar ol the Confession, which is directly over the Tomb of St. Peter, i here ' lie knelt on a damask-covered steps. He recited the 'Rosary and concluded with some minutes of silent prayer. Rising to his feet, lie went to the small chapel befoie at. Peter’s Tomb. I his chapel is in a sunken portion of the cathedral, where the pavement gives way to a flight of stairs leading to the tomh.

There Jie blessed the pallia, or mantles of lamb’s wool worn by archbishops, and bishops as the insignia of their rank. They were in a silver box in front of the tomb. He then entered the grottoes of tlie Basilica, where Popes lie buried in the so-called Chapel of the Popes. He saw the tombs of bis immediate predecessor, TTenedict XV, who made him a Cardinal, and of Pius X. The chapel is a small chamber, with a low, arching, white-washed ceiling. Gratings open in the ceiling, on a level with the pavegient in St. Peter’s. Tall candles flickered before the tombs. Jn one corner of the room other candles gleamed before the tomb of Queen Christina* seventeenth century rider of Protestant Sweden, who gave up her throne to become a Catholic. Pope Pius stood before the tombs in silent contemplation. Five years ago, on this same spot, ho remarked, almost with enjoyment, “Some day I also shall find sweet repose in this place.”