KING AND POPE.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1923, Page 5

KING AND POPE.

VISIT TO THE VATICAN. SCENE OF SPLENDOUR. A PICTURESQUE CEREMONY. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 10, 5.5 p.m. Rome, May 0. King George and Queen Mary had a private conversation with the Pope at the Vatican, lasting twenty-five minutes.- The King wore the full dress military uniform and the Queen the regulation black dress and a veil, which is obligatory for ladies visiting the F ope. Great 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 the entrance to the palace the Swiss Guard presented arms, and in St. Damascus Court was a company of Palatine Guards, with music and a Papal flag, together with a platoon of gendarmes, who rendered military honors, while the baud played the British Anthem.

At the foot of the stairway leading to the Papal apartments they were welcomed by Prince Raspoli, while at the head of the stairway a large crowd of prelates, who are members of the Pontifical Court, surrounded them, forming a brilliant and picturesque gathering. Preceded by six palfreys, and flanked by a detachment of Swiss Guards, their Majesties proceeded to the Clementine Hall, on the threshold of which another group of prelates, officers of the Vatican, and an armed corps joined the escort. They proceeded through the Tapestries Hall, which was lined by noble guards in a red uniform. As the cortege entered the ante room of the Papal apartment, the Pope advanced unescorted and welcomed his Royal guests, escorting them to his private parlour. Subsequently their Majesties were received at the Villa Patrizi by a number of English ecclesiastics representatives of the various English philanthropic institutions in Rome. Cardinal Gasparri arrived at the Legation at noon for the purpose of returning the Papal visit, lie remained to luncheon with the Royalties, which other representatives of the Vatican attended, the company numbering twenty. At three o’clock Cardinals Bisletl. Vannutelli, and MerrV De Vai convoypd to the British sovereigns the greeting of the Sacred College. Thia is quite unprecedented and was not done for the Kai-ser.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE KING AS FARMER. NEED FOR CO-OPERATION. Rome. May 9. King George placed wreaths on the tombs of Kings Emanuel and Humbert in the Panteon, also on the tomb of the unknown warrior. King George visited the International Institute of Agriculture, and in a speech expressed personal and active interest in the fortunes and misfortunes of the agricultural industry, not only of his own country and the Dominion!’. but throughout the world. His sympathy went out to his fellow agriculturists who had to combat special difficulties owing to the severe fall of prices following the war upheaval. The way to peace and prosperity was up-, hill, but perhaps the best and most direct path was along the lines of cooperation, admirably followed by the International Institute, which supplied farmers of all countries with the latest practical and scientific information. A BRITISH RECEPTION. Received May 10. 7.40 p.m. Rome, May 9. King George and Queen Mary attended a reception, attended by seven hundred members of the British colony, at the Embassy and later a gala performance.