POPE PIUS X.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7535, 11 August 1903, Page 3

POPE PIUS X.

. « The Enthronement. A Unique and Imposing Ceremony. Great Display of Popular Enthusiasm. (Received To-day, at 12.6 a.m.) Eome, August 10. Tho fifty-thousand invited peoplo filled the Basilica beforo tho ceremony commonced, and there were many thousands outside. Tho entire diplomatic body, Italian aristocracy, and many ladies were present. st Mr Thomas Esmonde, representing Irish Parliamentarians, was among those present. The ceremony occupied many hours. The Pope, arrayed in the Pontifical robes, with a mitre on his head, accompanied by the Cardinals, soated himself on a throne in the portico of tho Basilica. Cardinal Bampolla dolivered a speech of homage and his Holiness was thon borne aloft on the Sedia Gestatoria and, surrounded by the Flabilli and preceded by the dignitarios and Cardinals, entered the Basilica amid a flourish of silver trumpets and acclamations from the vast congregation, the Pontifical guard rendering military honours. After making a signal for Bilence, the Pope pronounced tho Benediction. He was next carried to the Clomentine Chapel, ono of the Pontificial Ceremonieri walking in advance and burning three pieces of tow, exolaimiog, " Holy Father in transit gloria mundi." The Pope, seated on the throne, received the act of obedience, the Cardinals kissing his feet, knees, and face, tbo Bishops his foot and knoe, and the lesser dignitaries kissing his foot only. Mass was celebrated, and at tho moment of elevation of the host, the silver-trumpets resounded from the top of the cupola coops, the people kneeling. The Pope was then borne to the Podium before the Altar of Confession, whero Cardinal Macchi removed the mitre from his Holiness' head, replacing it with the jewelled tiara, and pronounced the enthronisation. The Pope exhibited deep emotion during the ceremony. He blessed the congregation in a loud cloar voice, and there was a burst of enthusiasm and acclamation. Much fatigued, the Pope returned to i tbe Vatican in a Sedan chair.

The following names havo been most favoured by the Pontiffs:—John, of there have been 2*3; Gregory, 16; Benedict, 14; Clement, 14; Innocent, 13; Leo, 13; Pius, 9; Boniface, 9; Stephen, 9or 10; Alexander, 8; Urban, 8. The first Celestine was a fifth century Pope, the second reigned only five months and thirteen days, the third had a fairly long reign—six years and nine months, and the fourth only seventeen days, while the fifth abdicated in 1294, after a roign of five months and eight dayß. Since then thero has been no Pope of that name.