POPE ENTHRONED

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 13 March 1939, Page 5

POPE ENTHRONED

PIUS XII CROWNED TRIBUTES AT VATICAN HUGE ASSEMBLY BLESSED SIGN OF THE CROSS PLENARY INDULGENCE ' (Klpc, To], Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. March 13, 11 a.m.) VATICAN CITY, March, 12. The coronation of Pope Pius XII began at 7.15 a.m. The cheers of the spectators and the applause and shouts of "Long Live .the Pope" almost drowned the choir as the Pope, seated in the chair of state, was carried into the Basilica. With a hand upraised in blessing and smiling benignly on the cheering crowd, the Pope passed up the church and sat on the white throne. Cardinalsl, archbishops and. 'bishops: paid homage. Then High Mass was* celebrated, the Pope taking the Holy Eucharist standing ■ and not kneeling as is customary. Silver trumpets rang out as the Pope performed the act of consecration, using the golden chalice that his predecessor used daily and bequeathed: to him. At the end of the mass the Arch Priest 'of St. Peijer's presented the Pontiff with a white purse containing 25 gold coins, the "usual offering for this well-sung mass." There was thunderous applause and almost delirious manifestations of .loyalty from the congregation of (30,000 people within the Basilica as the glittering procession reformed. The Pope, mounted on; a cliair, was borne down the nave and sat motionless with his right hand upraised. Fanfare of Trumpets The procession disappeared into the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, The Basilica gates were reopened and the congregation streamed out into the square and joined the thousands waiting to watch the actual coronation on the balcony. A fanfare of trumpets sounded as the Pope appeared on the balcony. He slowly climbed to the throne and reverently placed the mitre in the hands of the Cardinal Deacon. 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 head of the Pope, chanting the ancient words: "Holy Father receive this tiara with three crowns. Know thou art the father of princes and kings throughout the world, the vicar of our saviour Jesus Christ to whom is glory and honour throughout the ages." Kneeling Thousands The Pope raised his arms to heaven and thrice made the sign of the cross. He blessed the kneeling thousands and granted plenary indulgence to all who heard and witnessed the coronation. With one voice the crowd cried: "Long Live the Pope." After a moment of acknowledgment His Holiness left the balcony for the Sacristy. 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 the crowning is estimated at 750,000. Troops Patrol Streets Signor Mussolini was absent from the Coronation. The Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, represented the Italian Government. Herr Hitler was represented by the German Ambassador to the Vatican, Dr. Von Bergen. Ten thousand Italian troopers parrolled the streets leading to St. Peter's Square before dawn and prevented those not holding tickets entering the square before the 50,000 ticket-holders. Tickets, which were inscribed gratis, were selling at £lO. Prior to the Coronation, the Pope was escorted to the Vestment Hall where he was greeted by the College > of Cardinals and donned the vestments consisting of a stole, a short red and gold mantle and a mitre. SECRETARY, OF STATE (Reed. March 13, 9 a.m.) VATICAN CITY, March 11. Cardinal Luigi Maglione, the former Papal Nuncio to Paris, has been appointed as Papal Secretary of State.