VISIT TO VATICAN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16122, 10 May 1923, Page 6

VISIT TO VATICAN.

KINO GEORGE CALLS ON POPE

CER BMONIAL RECEPTION

RAND PLAYS BRITISH. ANTHEM

(Eiec Tel. Copyright—Cnited Tress Assn.l Australian and N.Z cable Association;

(Received) May 10,, 2 p.m.) ' ROME, May 9

King George and' Queen Mary bad a private eonversation with the Pope at (be Vatican, lasting twenty-five minutes. Tho King wore his full dress military uniform, the Queen a regulation black dress and 1 veil, which igi obligatory for ladies visiting the Pope.

Ureal crowds thronged the routes to see their Majesties 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 honors.

At Ihe entrance to the) Palace the Swiss guard presented! arms. In St. Damascus Court, was a company of Palatine Guards, with music and the Papal Hag, together with a platoon of gendarmes, who rendered military honors, while the band played the British National Anthem.

At the foot of the stairway leading to the Papal apartments their Majesties 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, picturesque gathering. Preceded bv six palfreys, flanked on a detachment of Swiss Guards, the visitors proceeded to the C'laminUne Hall, on the threshold of which another croup of prelates and officers of the Vatican armed corps joined the escort. Thev proceeded through the Tapestries Hall, which was lined by noble guards in red uniforms.

As the cortege entered the ante-room of the Papal apartment, tho Pope advanced unescorted, welcomed the Royal guests, and escorted them to his private parlor. ■ . Subsequently their Majesties received at the Villa Pat mi a number of English ecclesiastics, representatives of various English philanthropic institutions in Rome.

Cardinal Gasparri arrived at the Legation at noon for the purpose'of returning the/Papal visit. He remained to luncheon with the Royalties, . which other representatives of the Vatican attended, the company nrmberiug twenty. (Received May 10, 3 p.m.)

* ROME, May 9. At 3 o'clock Cardinals BioleU, Vanniitolli, and Merrv Do Val conveyed to the British Sovereigns the greetings of the Sacred College. This was quite unprecedented. It was not done for the Kaiser.