THE PAPAL JUBILEE.
The Pontifical Mass at St. Peter's, Rome, on January 1 was a great success. Thousands of people thronged the square early in the morning, waiting for the opening of the cathedral. Sixty thousand admission tickets had been issued, and the place was packed. The Pope entered at 8.30 a.m., followed by cardinals in procession. His Holiness was received with a loud and long-continued shout of "Long live the Pope!" The music of the mass was deeply impressive, and many persons in the audience were affected. The Pope blessed all present, and taft the cathedral at 11 a.m. The whole audience expressed its joy by clapping hands, waving hits and handkerchiefs, and enthusiastic acclamations. Forty-eight cardinals and 238 archbishops and bishops were present at the mass, aiid it is estimated that
there were 30,000 persons in the audience. The Pope prayed for a long time in bis private chapel, then received the homage of the coutfe and cardinals. While assuming his sacerdotal vestments the Pope was overcome with emotion and fainted. Strong salts were administered, and he returned to consciousness. He then ascended tho gestatorial chair, and was borne on the shoulders of the sediarii, attended by cardinals, into St. Peter's Cathedral. Just before he was fully vested for the altar he again fainted, remaining unconscious a few minutes. The mass occupied 28 minutes. After pronouncing the benediction the Pope again seated himself in the gestatorial chair, and was borne completely around the altar to the capella del sacramento^ where he offered up a prayer of thanksgiving. During the ceremony the! Pope wore the triple crown presented to him by Emperor William. Two battalions of the line and a large number of carbineers regulated the movements of the crowd at the cathedral, and a thousand policemen in plain clothes were stationed inside tha edifice. A few ladies fainted in the crush, but no accident occurred. In the chapel the columns and pilasters were hung with red damask. The statue of St. Peter was. clothed in pontifical garments, with the tiara on his head. The orchestra included the famous ancient silver trumpets. The Pope wore the pastoral ring presented by the Austrian, Archduke. His tiara was covered with, thousands of pearls. The chalice used by his Holiness was the gift of the King of Portugal, and the golden plate used in service was a present from Queen Victoria. At the conclusion of the services the Pope retired to his private apartments and rested for two hours. He was not at his best, but on the following day appeared in bis usual health. He received 2500 congratulatory telegrams. He intends to send autograph letters to all sovereigns who have written to him. Those sent to Queen Victoria will be of special importance. According to Vatican law the jubilee presents were place* oa exhibition at the Vatican at noon, when the Pope entered the hall followed by 48 cardinals and the Pontifical Cocrt. Cardinal Schiaffea read an address. To this the Pope replied that his soul was moved by the manifestations of love and veneration reaching him from all parts of the world. He regarded that as an evidence: of the power of the Papacy. The share takea by the (sovereigns of the world in the jubileo proved that they justly appreciated the importance of Papacy. He concluded by praising the organiser of the exhibition. The Pope received the presidents of the English and American colleges m Rome and the British pilgrims on January 9. On the Bth the Pope received 2000 Spanish pilgrims. He afterwards received the Emperor William's envoy, to whom he expressed great pleasure at what he regarded as the latest proof of the Emperor's affection, and of the excellent relations existing between Germany and ihe Vatican. The French Ambassador handed the Pontiff an autograph letter from President Carnot, in which he wished his Holiness long life and prosperity, and tho Popa made a suitable reply.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18880210.2.33
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 14
Word Count
658THE PAPAL JUBILEE. Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 14
Using This Item
No known copyright (New Zealand)
To the best of the National Library of New Zealand’s knowledge, under New Zealand law, there is no copyright in this item in New Zealand.
You can copy this item, share it, and post it on a blog or website. It can be modified, remixed and built upon. It can be used commercially. If reproducing this item, it is helpful to include the source.
For further information please refer to the Copyright guide.