POPE LEAVES VATICAN

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1929, Page 13

POPE LEAVES VATICAN

FIRST TIME SINCE YEAR 1870 SPECTACLE OF MAGNIFICENCE HUGE CROWDS VIEW SCENE By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. • Australian Press Association. Rome, July 25. History was made when the Pope, in the solemn Eucharistic procession, left the Vatican for the first time since 1870. He, however, did not go beyond the confines of the new State. Crowds, estimated at 300,000, in the oppressive heat gathered in St. Peter’s Square. An altar was erected at the top of the Basilica steps, from which the, Papal benediction was imparted. The procession, which was most imposing, was led by a detachment of Swis > guards, followed by the procurators of the colleges, members of the Privy Chamber, representatives of religious orders b delegates from the International Congress and religious and civil officials.

The order of the procession was identical with that followed in 1870. The Pope himself was carried in the Papal podium. He was received w’itli. deafen? ing cheers and cries of "Long live the Pope; long live the King.” Many fell on their knees in an attitude of devotion.

p T pon the Pope re-entering St. Peter’s the facade w r as brilliantly illuminated by. thousands of tiny orange flames. It • was a scone of unsurpassing beauty ; and evoked cries of admiration. London, July 25. The Rome correspondent of the Daily Mail states that, in consequence ;of an American producer’s offer of .£ll,OOO for the exclusive rights of film.ing the Papal procession, which the •Pope regarded as an attempt to bribe the Vatican, the police have been asked to prevent the photographing of the ceremony. Lest cinematographers pose as ordinary amateurs, the ban extends to all

cameras. The police visited a house overlooking St. Peter’s Square and warned the occupiers not to permit the taking of photographs from the windows/