KING AND POPE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 110, 10 May 1923, Page 8

KING AND POPE

THE ROYAL VISIT PAID

COURT'S WHOLE SPLENDOUR USED . , .

\DMITBD PRIBS ASSOCIATION .""COPYRIGHT*) (AUSTRALIAN . nBW ZEALAND CABLB ASSOCIATION.) (Received 10th May, 3 p.m.) ROME, 9th May. King George and Queen Mary had a private conversation with the Pope at the "Vatican lasting 25 minutes. The King wore his full dress military uniform and the Queen the regulation black dress with a veil, which is obligatory for women visiting the Pope. Great crowds thronged the route to see Their Majesties pass in the Papal cars. The whole splendour of the Papal Court was called upon for the ceremonial reception. In St. Peter's Square two regiments of cavalry rendered military honours; at the entrance to the Holy Palace the Swiss Guards presented arms, and in the St. Damascus Court was a company of Palatine Guards with the Papal flag. The Palatine Guards, together with a platoon of gendarmes, rendered military honours, while the band played the British National Anthem.

At the foot of the Royal stairway-lead-ing- to the Papal apartments, King George and Queen Mary were welcomed by Prince Ruspoli, while at the head of the stairway a large crowd of prelates, who are members of the Pontifical Court, surrounded them, forming a brilliant and picturesque gathering. Preceded by six talfreys and flanked by a detachment of wiss Guards, Their Majesties proceeded to the Clementine Hall, on the threshold! of which was another group of prelates and officers of the Vatican. An armed cprps joined the escort, and the procession made its way through the Tapestries Hall, which was lined by noble guards in red uniform.

As the cortege entered the ante-room of the Papal apartment, the Pope advanced, unescorted, and welcomed his Royal guests, and escorted them to his private parlour. Subsequently Their Majesties received at Villa Patriza a number of English ecclesiastics and representatives of various English philanthropic institutions. Cardinal Gasparri, Secretary of State for the Pope, arrived at the British, Legation at noon for the purpose of returning- the Papal visit, and remained to luncheon with Their Majesties. Other representatives of the Vatican attended the luncheon, the company numbering twenty.