POPE CROWNED

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30172, 2 July 1963, Page 13

POPE CROWNED

Speech To World In Nine Languages ’ (A.Z Fresj Association—Conynoht» VATICAN CITY, July 1. Paul VI, two hundred and sixty-second Supreme Pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, was crowned last night in a magnificent outdoor coronation ceremony before a quarter of a million spectators in St. Peter’s Square.

The Associated Press said a modern, light-weight beehive crown —weighing just over two pounds—was placed on the head of the spiritual ruler of the world’s 500,000,000 Roman Catholics as the climax to a two-and-a-half hour ceremony.

The service was rich in ancient pageantry and symbolism, but to the service Pope Paul brought, in an unusual nine-language speech, a reminder of the problems of the modem world.

The ceremony emphasised humility. Three times, as Pope Paul was carried ihrough the square on his portable throne. a strip of flax was burned before his eyes, and an attendant chanted in a loud voice in Latin: “Holy Father, thus posses the glory of the world.” It was a dramatic moment. Pope Paul, deeply moved, bowed his head as he listened to the repeated warning against personal concern for the pleasures of the world. A.P said.

Another time, after the Pope bad celebrated Mass, he was handed a white silk purse containing 25 coins. It was payment “for a Maes well sung” and symbolised that he too was a priest. The coronation was unusual, staged outside the basilica at twilight. Other coronations in this century were inside the basilica in the morning.

A golden sunset, followed by a violet sky behind the great dome of St. Peter’s, provided a glorious backdrop for the ceremony As darkness fell, great spotlights atop the Bernini colonnade flooded the front of the basilica in light. Pope Paul seemed moved throughout the ceremony—as

he was carried through the square on his portable throne as be celebrated Maes and as he was crowned He bad chosen yesterday for the crowning because Roman Catholics commemorate St. Paul on this day The Pope took his name from the Apostle. Nine Languages Pope Paul spoke first in Latin, then in Italian. French. English and German. At the end he expressed greetings in Spanish, Portuguese. Polish and Russian. In English, the Pope said: “We wish now to address to our venerable brothers and beloved sisters who use the English language a word of greeting and blessing in their mother tongue. "Spreading from its birthplace in the British Isles to every continent and every corner of the earth, your language makes a notable contribution towards increased understanding and unity between nations and races. “Like- our venerable predecessors on the throne of Peter we too intend to dedicate ourselves to the encouragement of greater mutual comprehension, charity and peace between peoples. . . . “We exhort our children and all English-speaking men of goodwill to strive and to pray that this priceless blessing may be given and preserved on earth. . . ,

“Giving glory to God in the highest, we invoke His richest graces upon you all, your families at home, especially the children, the sick and the suffering: and to all we im-

part from our paternal heart a special apostolic benediction," he Mid. Russian Message The Pope said in Russian: "Our thought also turns to the whole of the Russian people, upon whom we call th? blessing of the Almighty ” In his Latin and Italian remarks he spoke of hie awareness of "assuming a high and formidable office ’ In and French he spoke of Christian unity, but made it clear that he would not compromise basic Catholic doctrine. Pope Paul Mid his predecessor, Pope J-Jin XXIII, had raised hopes for Christian unity. The Pope said he considered it his "duty and honour” to try to fulfil these hopes, but added: "No more than he (John >. certainly, do we nourish illusions on the extent of the problem to resolve and the gravity of the obstacles.” “Another Dialogue” The Pepe said: “But beyond the frontiers of Christianity. there is another dialogue in which the church is engaged today: the dialogue with the modem world “Superficially examined, man of today can appear as more and more foreign to all that which is of the religious and spiritual order. Aware oi the progress of science and technology, inebriated with spectacular successes in flelds hitherto unexplored, he seems to have defied his own power and to want to surpass God " But behind this grandiose facade it was easy to discover the “profound voices" of the Holy Spirit. The modern world aspired to justice. progress, and "to a peace which is not only the precarious suspension of hostilities between nations or between social classes, but which can finally permit the flourishing and co-operation of men and peoples in an atmosphere at mutual trust,” he said. Pope Paul said that In the service of these causes the modern world "shows itself capable of practising to an astonishing degree the virtues ’ of perseverance and courage. ’ the spirit of enterprise, of devotion, and of sacrifice.” The coronation marked the formal start of Pope Paul's , reign, although he assumed . full authority upon his elec- , tion of June 21. Al*, said.

Transfer Of Spleen (N.Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright) DENVER (Colorado), July 1. A 10-yeor-old boy and his 31-year-old mother were today reported in satiefactorv condition after the spleen from the mother was transplanted to the boy's body. Their operations on Friday at the University of Colorado Medical Centre at Denver, was reported as the first of its kind in medical history The surgeons who performed the joint operations were the same who have successfully transplanted kidneys and livers. The boy’s own defective spleen was not removed. The organ from hie mother was placed In the right pelvic area. Doctors said that the mother could live normally without a spleen. Film Aivards (N Z.P.A .-Reuter—CoppripM) BERLIN, July 1. Selznick Golden Laurels were awarded at the Berlin International Film Festival to the Indian film director, Satyajit Ray, for his film Two Daughters." The laurels are awarded by an American jury to non-American films judged to have contributed to international understanding. Silver Laurel winners were “Billy Budd" and “A Tsete of Honey” (British), “Sundays and Cybelle" (French), "Electra” (Greek), and The Island" (Japanese).