CEREMONY IN THE BASILICA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 128, 13 March 1939, Page 5

CEREMONY IN THE BASILICA.

MANIFESTATIONS OF LOYALTY. * DEPARTURE FROM CUSTOM. (Received This Day, 9.35 a.m.) VATICAN CITY, March 12. The coronation began at 7.15 a.m. The spectators’ cheers, applause and shouts of “Long Jive the Pope” almost drowned the choir as the Pope, seated in the chair of State, was carried into the Basilica. With his hand upraised in blessing, and smiling 'benignly on the cheering crowd, the Pope passed up the church and sat on the white throne, cardinals, archbishops, and bishops paying homage.' Then High Mass was celebrated, the Pope taking the Holy Eucharist, standing, not kneeling, as has been customary. Silver trumpets rang out as the Pope performed the act of consecration, using the golden chalice that his predecessor used daily and bequeathed to him. At the end of the Mass the ArchPriest of St. Peter’s presented the Pontiff with a white purse : containing 25 gold coins, “the usual offering for this well-sung Mass”’ i There was thunderous applause and almost delirious manifestations of loyalty from the congregation of 60,000 within the Basilica as the glittering procession 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. The Basilica gates were reopened and the congregation streamed out into the square and joined the thousands who -were waiting to -watch the actual coronation on the balcony.