NEW POPE’S BLESSING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18514, 27 March 1922, Page 6

NEW POPE’S BLESSING.

OLD CUSTOM RESTORED. PICTURESQUE CEREMONY. ENTHUSIASM OF THE PEOPLE. The election of Cardinal Achilla Ratti, Archbishop of Milan, to the Pontificate was proclaimed from the balcony of St- Peter s at 12.25 p.m. on February 6. Describing the ceremony, the correspondent of the , London Daily Telegraph wrote that a vast crowd had assembled in the square of St Peter’s waiting patiently in the ram for hours. The sight was picturesque in a now way, for everybody was holding an iirabrc ia -and the immense square looked peopled by *IO,OOO black mushrooms. . . At a quarter past eleven a slight putt ot smoke was noticed by some, and again a little later, and a murmur went round that the Pope was elected. But the crowd re'mained uncertain, for owing to the rain the smoke could not be easily distinguished. There were 40 minutes more of patient waiting, and al 12.25 finally the window over the balcony in the centre of St. Peter s was flung onen, a huge red tapestry with the new Pope’s coat of arms was hung out, and a great cheer went up from the throng of “E fatto! E fatto!” (he is elected). The formalities which accompanied the announcement of the Pope s election indicate that something has been changed or >a about to change in the Vatican. It was expected as before that the Pope would only appear inside the Basilica to give his firsrblessing, but it soon was apparent that something new was going to happen. All the gates leading from the Basilica into the Vatican were closed, and knowing Romans ai, one© inferred that the Pope was going to give his benediction to the crowd on the Sauare of St. Peter’s, as used to be done in olden times. The word went round the Piazza! In the Piazza!” and everybody seemed to be pleased at the novelty. T-: it the first step toward a real reconciliation between the Papacy and the Italjan State? “He is going to give his blessing in the Piazza” went round again and again, and there was a movement toward the great square. ON THE VATICAN TERRACE. The people were delighted when the Papal flag appeared for the first time since the clays of Pius IX along the balustrade of the Vatican terrace. It was carried in great state by the Palatine Guards, evidently on the order of the new Pope and with the consent of the great majority of the cardinals, as implied in their vote. Commeuclatore Tabanelli. of the Palatipc Guards, walked at the head and stood at attention. Next followed the Swiss Guards with their halberds. Then came another group of Palatine Guards in grand uniform. Thengala costumes of red with resplendent he! mets and embroidered coats elicited the enthusiasm of the crowd. The entire armed guard of the new Pontiff appeared On the terrace, and there was no longer anv doubt, and for the first time Romans again heard since 50 years the word of command given to Panal Guards on St. Peter's Square. At last the Pone also appeared, followed by a group of dignitaries. The Pope, a handsome man, was smiling, and walked with a firm step. “Evviva il Papa” cheered N the vast ergwd enthusiastically. The Pope immediately approached Ihe balustrade, and, with a wide gesture, extended his arms, making a sign that, lie was about to giro his blessing. In that instant tbe crowd’s enthusiasm reached its height. All umbrellas had been closed, thousand? of handkerchiefs were waved in salutation, and many went down on their knees. A HAPPY SCENE. His Holiness gazed on the throng in fitherly and happy fashion, and raised his hand in sign of blessing. Immediately profound silence followed, and the Pope read out slowly and solemnly, in a voice that was we!! heard, the words of prayer; “Benedictio Dei Omnipotentie Paths ct Filii et Spiritus Sanct-i descenda.t super vos et maneat semper.” The crowds answered “Amen,’’ and immediately resumed eheei l - - The Pope, who was aecompanied by Cardinals Yannute’.li. Bisleti. and Merry del Val. made the sign of the Cross over the multitude three times. Pius XI remained looking at the people, silent and pleased. ’Hie Vatican juarcls -next-ask a special blessing for them, which the Pope smilingly grants, and as the crowd below continues cheering he turns and blesses them again and again. Masters of the Ceremony then brine a intnile to the Pope to cover him, as lie had remained exposed to the rain, which, happily, by then had almost ceased, and the cortege, followed hv the cardinals, re-entered the Vatican still cheered by the crowd. The helU of Si. Peter’s started riugine. and (hose of all the churches of Rome followed. A horticulturist ha- succeeded in producing a new and remarkable fruit bv crossing cucumber and orange plants. The new fruit, which is yellow in colour and devoid of seed, is said to possess a most agreeable flavour. Rolston; Hgw about the oil company you invested in? Did they find a gn.-hcr? Qi.inpey; Only the on* that- wrote the piosg&tm