POPE’S CORONATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1939, Page 7

POPE’S CORONATION

SCENES OF SPLENDOUR INDESCRIBABLE ENTHUSIASM (by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] VATICAN CITY, March 12. Amid scenes of splendour such as have not been witnessed in Europe for the last hundred years, Pope Pius XII was crowned at St. Peter’s Basilica today. The great Cathedral was thronged, and it is estimated that 400,000 people were unable to gain admittance. After the ceremony inside the Cathedral, the Pope came on to the balcony, still attired in gorgeous robes, and imparted the Benediction to the vast, concourse, which greeted his appearance with a terrific volume of cheering. Inside the Cathedral were all of the Cardinals, clad in their brilliant vestments, hundreds of mitred Archbishops, Bishops and Abbots, and thousands of priests, including several New Zealanders. The appearance of the Papal procession was the signal for a spontaneous burst of enthusiasm, which lasted until the Pope had been carried on his throne, borne by Swiss Guards', to the chief throne at the altar: A brilliant array of ambassadors, and envoys of foreign governments, gathered in that part of the Cathedral reserved for them. At their head were the Duke of Norfolk, represent-

ing King George VI, the President of Eire (Mr. de Valera), the former King Alfonso and Queen Ena of Spain, apd members of their family, Italian Royalties and Count Ciano, representing the Italian Government and nation, anil representatives of practically every nation. Signor Mussolini did not attend the coronation, at which the Italian Government was represented by Count Ciano. Herr Hitler was represented by the German Ambassador to the Vatican (Dr. von Bergen). At the completion of High Mass, the

triple crown, or tiara, was placed on the Pope’s head by Cardinal Cammilus Caccia Dominion!, the Senior Cardinal Deacon. This took place outside on the loggia of St. Peter’s 'and was tlfe signal for a renewed demonstration of goodwill. Following the appointment of the new Papal Secretary of State, it is expected that a large number of other Vatican appointments will be announced in the course of a few days. The Coronation was broadcast in seven languages, and it is estimated that more than a. third of the world’s population listened to the relay through the Vatican radio station. Reports indicate that reception overseas was generally good.

BRILLIANT SUNSHINE. Over 500,000 people packed the piazza in front of St. Peter’s so closely that it was scarcely possible for anyone to bend down to pick up lost handkerchiefs. The Papal Band, playing the Papal Anthem outside the main entrance to the Cathedral, heralded the approach of His Holiness, and immediately prior to his appearance silver trumpets blared out a welcome. Gathered on the huge balcony of the Cathedral were the Cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and abbots who had taken part in the historic ceremonies inside the great church. The scene, as the Pope came on to the balcony was one of indescribable enthusiasm. Half a million throats raised such a tumult as the Eternal City has never witnessed for those present appreciated to the full the broad sympathy for the masses which had led Pope Pius XII to decide that his crowning should be an event which all could witness. No coronation had taken place outside the Cathedral foi 100 years. With the bells of St. Peter’s and 400 other churches in Rome ringing out, the Papal procession reached the balcony just at mid-day. Rome was experiencing a day of rarely beautifu weather, neither hot nor cold. Brilliant sunshine added to the joyfulness

of the occasion, and the scene was one of rare beauty as the multi-colour-ed uniforms and gold vestments were caught by the sun’s rays. Many loud speakers, erected on the collonade surrounding the great squaie, conveyed to the huge throng the words of the officiating ministers as the final ceremonj’ took place. The prayeis in Latin concluded with the Pope s blessing, in which the ringing tones o the Pontiff’s voice were clearly heard in everv part of the Square, and throughout the whole world. At the conclusion. His Holiness grantee a special indulgence to those attending the ceremony and just as he was pieparing to leave the balcony, the crowd let go its feelings in a wild acclamation Hats and handkerchiefs waved in an unprecedented scene, the crowd s cheering lasting for some .minutes, whilst the Pope and his attendants smiled down on the vast multitude The cheering had not died away as the Papal procession reformed, and His Holiness left the balcony to retire to his apartments.

SCENE IN BASILICA

(Recd. March 13. 10.30 a.m.). VATICAN CITY. March 12. The coronation began at 7.15 a.m. The spectators' cheers and applause, and shouts of “Long live the 1 ope. almost, drowned the choir, as the Pope, seated on the Chair ot State, was carried into the Basilica. With his hand upraised in blessin„. and smiling benignly on the cheering crowd, the Pope passed up the church, and sat on the White Throne the Cardinals Archbishops, and Bishops pacing homage. Then High Mass was celebrated, the Pope taking the llolj Eucharist standing, and not kneeling, as is customary. Silver trumpets rang out as the Pope performed the act of consociation. using the golden chalice that his predecessor used daily, and bequeathed to him. At the end of the Mass, the ai chpriest of St. Peter’s presented the Pontiff with a white purse, containing 25 gold coins, “the usual offering tor this well-sung Mass.” There was thunderous applause, and almost-delirious manifestations of loyalty from the. congregation of GO.OOO within the Basilica, as the glittering procession re-formed. The Pope, mounted on his chair, was borne down the nave, and sat motioilless, with upraised right hand, as the procession disappeared into the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. The Basilica

gates were re-opened, and the congregation streamed out into the Square, and joined the thousands waiting to watch the actual coronation, on the balcony. There was a fanfare of trumpets as the Pope appeared on the balcony, and slowly climbed the throne. The Dean of 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. Know thou art the Father of Princes and Kings throughout the world, 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 plenary indulgence to all who had heard or witnessed the Coronation. With one voice, the crowd cried “Long live the Pope!” After a minute’s acknowledgement His Holiness left the balcony for the Sacristy, and the crowd slowly left the Square, which returned to its age-old silence. The actual crowning took seven minutes. The crowd which the Pope blessed, after his crowning, is estimated at 750,00 b.

PAPAL SECRETARY. VATICAN City, March IL Archbishop Maglione, former Papal Nuncio to Paris, has been appointed Papal Secretary of State. Luigi Maglione was born at Casoria in the diocese of Naples in March, 1977. He studied for the priesthood at a local seminary and then at the Collegio Caprancia in Rome. Afterwards he entered the Papal University, the Gregoriana, where he graduated in philosophy and theology and obtained his doctorate in ecclesiastical law, subsequently receiving a diplomatic training. In 1908 he entered the diplomatic service of the Vatican as Apostolic Delegate to Costa Rica. In January, 1909, he was recalled to Rome to occupy a post under the Secretary of State for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs. This he held until 1918, when he succeeded Monsignor Marchetti as special envoy to Berne, where in addition to caring for prisoners of war he conducted negotiations for the reestablishment of the Nunciature, which had been in abeyance since 1873. As a result of his success he was appointed Nuncio to Switzerland in June, 1920. and at the same time was made titular Archbishop of Caesarea, Palestine. He acted as a kind of middleman between the Vatican and the League of Nations and was particularly active in the matter of the Palestine mandate.

At the end of May, 1926, he was appointed Nuncio in Paris in succession to Cardinal Cerretti. He showed himself a strong opponent of the French Royalists who organ, “Action Francoise,” had offended the Vatican and was eventually put on the Index. In 1927 it demanded the recall of Maglione as persona non grata and in 19J> made violent attacks on him, alleging that while at Berne he had carried on espionage on behalf of Germany.