KING AT THE VATICAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18396, 11 May 1923, Page 7

KING AT THE VATICAN.

AUDIENCE WITH THE POPE.

RESPLENDENT CEREMONIAL.

SIGNAL COURTESY PAID.

By Telegraph— Association Copyright. A and N.Z. ROME. May 9.

King George and Queen Mary had a private conversation with tho Pope at the Vatican, lasting 25 minutes. Tho King wore full dress military uniform, and the Queen regulation black dress, and veil which is obligatory for ladies 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' Swiss Guards presented arms. In St. Damascus Court was a company of the Palatine Guards with the Papal flag. These, together with a platoon of gendarmes, rendered military honours, while the band played the British anthem. At the foot of the Royal stairway leading to the Papal apartments Their Majesties were welcomed by Prince* Ruspoli, and 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 Palafrenieri, and flanked by a detachment of Swiss Guards, the procession proceeded to the Sala Clementina, on the threshold of which another group of prelates and officers of the Gcndarmeria Pontificia joined the escort. The visitors proceeded through the Hall of Tapestries, which was lined with Noble Guards in red uniform. As the cortege entered the anteroom of the Papal apartment the Pope advanced unescorted and -welcomed the Royal guests, escorting them to his private parlour. . . Subsequently Their Majesties received at Villa Patrizi a number of English' ecclesiastics and representatives of various English philanthropic institutions in Rome, Cardinal Gasparri arrived at the Legation at noon, for the purpose of (returning thje Papa.l visit, and remained to luncheon with the Royal visitors, other representatives of the Vatican also attending, the company numbering 20. At 3 o'clock, Cardinals Bisleti. Vannutelli, and Merry del Val conveyed to the British Sovereigns the greetings of the Sacred Collet Th is is quite unprecedented, and ..as not done for the Kaiser.

The Sala Clementina, referred to in life above cablegram, is reached from the Piazza by a marble staircase of 300 steps. The hall takes its name from Clementine VIII., who in 1595 had it decorated by Durante, Cherubino Alberti and Balthassar of Bologna. The Hall of Tapestries is so named because its walls are decorated with three pieces of magnificent tapestry, the gift of France, One of them represents the Lord in the midst of the Pharisees, while St. Magdalen is reverently kissing his feet. On the other Bide is shown the resurrection of Lazarus, and the background shows the scene of Christ healing the sick.' '•■■; The Palafrenieri, or bearers of the Sedia Gestatoria, are allotted the- duty of.helping those who come for audience to lay aside their hat or mantle. The Noble Guard, the Palatine Guard, the Papal Gendarmes and the Swiss Guard are all that remain of the military forces of the Popes. The Noble Guards are recruited from the Roman nobility. The cable message indicates that they wore their full-dress uniform, which somewhat resembles the uniform of the British Life Guards, without the cuirass, with its scarlet coat, braided with gold, white breeches I and tall riding boots. It is only on rare occasions that the Noble Guards are thus attired. Usually they appear in undress uniform, a black coat with gold epaulettes, dark blue trousers, and • steel helmet with gold crest. The Palatine Guard is a sort of Papal militia. Their uniform consists of a black tunic with crimson facings, a black capote with crimson tuft and blue trousers.

GALA NIGHT AT OPERA.

RECEPTION AT EMBASSY.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 7.5 p.m.) . ROME. May 9. Their Majesties attended a reception of 700 members of the British Colony at the Embassy, and later were present at a gala performance, the " Barber of Seville," at the Constanzi Theatre. Earlier in the day. King George placed wreaths on the tombs of King Victor Emmanuel and King Humbert, and also on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior. His .Majesty also visited the International Institute ok Agriculture. In a speech he expressed his personal active interest in the fortunes and misfortunes of the agricultural industry, not only of his own country and the Dominions, but throughout the world. His sympathy went out to his fellow agriculturists who had to combat special difficulties owing to tho severe fall in prices following the war's upheavals. The way to peace and prosperity was uphill, but perhaps the best and most direct path was along lines of co-operation v so admirably followed by the International Institute, which supplied farmers of all countries with the latest practical scientific information.