The Pope’s Jubilee.

Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 174, 21 February 1888, Page 2

The Pope’s Jubilee.

The Pontifical Mass at Bt. Peter’s. Rome, on January 1, was a great success. Thousands of people thronged the square in the morning waiting for the opening of the Cathedral. Kixty thousand admission tickets had been issued, and the place was packed. Thu Pope entered at half-pust eight a.m., followed by the 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 h-ft the Cathedral at eleven a.m. The whole audience expressed its joy by clapping hands, waving hats and handkerchiefs, and enthusiastic acclamations.

Forty-eight Cardinals and 888 Archbishops nnd Rishops were present at tlie mass, and it is estimated that there wore 80.000 persons in the audience. The Pop* 1 prayed for a long time in his private e)m|iel, and then received the homage of the Court and Canimals in

the Sain Due vie. While assuming, the sacerdotal vestments the Po]ie wosoverc ime with emotion an Ifainted. Strong >a!t> were administered, and lie returned to consciousness. He then ascended the gi 'tutorial chair, and was home on the shoulders of the sediarii, attend'd by the Cardinals into St. Pei< r s Cutiicdral. Just before lie was fully vested for the alter be again fainted, remaining unconscious a few minutes. The tnas* occupied twentyeight minutes. After pronouncing the Reiiediction the Pope again seated himself in the gcxtalonai chair, and was borne completely around the altar to Uiu Capella del Sacraments, where he ottered 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 carbinier! regulated the movements of tin- crowd at the cathedral, and a thousand policemen in plain clot lies were stationed inside the edifice. A few ladies fainted in the crush, lint no accident occurred. In tiie chapel the columns and pilasters were hung witii red damask. The statue of St. Peter was clothed m pontifical garments, with the tiara on its (lead. The orchestra included the famous ancient silver tnim|>ets. Many members of the nobility were present. The Pope wore the pastoral ring prosented by the Austrian Archdukes. His tiara was covered with thousands of pearls. The clmlice used by His Holiness was the gift of the King of Pcrttlgal, and the golden plate used in the service was a present from Queen

Victoria. At the conclusion of the services the Pope retinsl to his private apartments and rested for two hours. He was not at Ins best; but on the following day appeared in Ins usual health. He received 2500 congratulatory telegrams. He intends to send autograph letters to all the sovereigns who have written to iiiin—those sent to Queen Victoria will lie of special importance according to Vatican talk. The Jubilee presents were placed on exhibition at the Vatican. At noon, when the Pope entered the Hull, followed hy forty-eight Cardinals and tlie Pontifical Court, Cardinal Schiatlino read an address. To this the Pope replied that his soul was moved hy the manifestations of love and veneration reaehmg him from all parts of tlie world. He regarded that as an evidence of the power of Papacy. He concluded by praising the organisers of the Exhibition. The Pope received the presidents of the English and American Colleges in Rome, and the British pilgrims on the Dili Jan. On the Mth the Pope received two thousand Spanish pilgrims. He afterwards received Emperor Wdlmm's envoy, to whom lie expressed great pleasure at what lie regarded os the latest proof of the Emperor's affection * and of the excellent relations existing between Germany and the Vatican. Count de Rehuvere, French Ambassador, handed the Pontiff an autograph letter from President Carnot, in which he wished 11 is Holiness long life and prosperity. The Pope made a suitable reply.