CLOSE OF THE CONCLAVE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 39, 24 September 1903, Page 6

CLOSE OF THE CONCLAVE

CORONATION CEREMONIES ihehTnc^n'T tfV^sday was the m h day rf throne. These were the most striking scenes Rome has seen in recent years. Twice each day the black tubf belched smoke from the roof of the Sistine Chanel ?« signify that the choice had not been made t0 On Tuesday a larger crowd than on previous days had assembled before St. Peter's to await the result of the seventh ballot. The heat was oppressive and the Ts te e the Cl V^ Cl ° S^ tO lhe Shade Oi the^^ colonnade opFncreased The nUmber of troo P s wa « at infn-H? IVT1 V T , the ch j mne y of th e Sistine Chapel at 11. dO o clock, but it was hazy and of smaller volume than heretofore, and the impression was created im mediately that a choice had been made. Withtn a i" minutes after the appearance of the thin white smoke one or two windows in the Vatican were opened and the rumor gained force that an election had been reached The crowd made a rush for the church some gathering in the hot sun in front of the outer balcony some assembling within and opposite the balcony from which the new Pope was to bless the world ' I announce to you a Great Joy ! ' lr»¥™r\s Sreat vibrant voice high up above the cennrnn? * ° he chief temple of Christendom. The ffi ?!f i rC /? ed CVCT I ear of the multitude which £"!? ! he , s P ]endl , d approach below. Eager though they were to learn whose brow would wear the triple tiara the Roman populace raised a mighty shout of acclamation, tor several moments wild, tumultuous cheers rose toward the blazing midday sun. i- f+^ he red - ro , bed Cardinal above paused with arms uplifted and silence came, sudden and complete. Again that sonorous, dramatic voice • 'We have as Pope His Eminence the Most Rev. Cardinal, Archbishop, and Patriarch Giuseppe Sarto, who takes the -title of Pius tne lentn. v> ?« ne ™ ard an F thin S beyond the name of the new 1 ontiff. The last words of even that wonderful voice were swallowed up in the greater voice of waiting Rome lo that was added in another moment a brazen chorus ot joy from the belfry above. The other bells of Rome heard it and took up the great acclaim. The same bells which a few days before sang the requiem of the dead Pope clanged a glad welcome to the new ,, A f '!00?! 00 ?u as the first enthusiasm found expression, the multitude thronged into the church and stood uncovered in the vast nave facing the loggia above the bronze doors, and there awaited the appearance of the Pontiff to give his first benediction to the world. He appeared presently, accompanied by two Cardinals and other prelates. The effect of the solemn scene through which he had just passed in the Sistine Chapel was still visible in his pallor, yet he made almost an ideal figure as he stood in serene, sad dignity with his hand outstretched above the vast throng, his face gentle yet strong, lined, indeed, with firm purpose, but compassionate, sincere' Such at least were the characteristics which it seemed to bear as he finally gave his brief benediction. And what an acclaim they gave him ! There was almost an hysterical note in it as it rose in volume. He watched the people for a moment, and then as he spoke his face became sadder and older until he turned away with a gesture full of pathos. The descriptions of the scenes within the Vatican immediately following the election are deeply impressive.

' It is a Cross that I Receive from You • conclave anar on luesday mornine his farp fnti «f sadness almost anguish. And hfs were n t the on?y eyes whence tears fell as all paused for a moment while sell to take up the burden of his vast responsibility. &y"ji .sspfttt jasw?w A«a and kissed his master's hand and thus received the first apostolic blessing given by Pius X. The new Pope was attired all in white, with the exception of red shoes which was quite regular, but he did not stop to remove the Cardinal's red stockings for the Papal white ones/and these showed as he raised his gown to move forward When he was robed, the secretary of the Conclave, Monsignor Merry del Val, kneeling, offered him the PaSal white cap amidst breathless silence. With a slight smile Pius X. took the white cap, placed it calmly on his head, and dropped the red one lightly on the head of Monsignor Merry del Val, amidst a murmur of approval I his is taken as a certain indication that the haDDV recipient is soon to be raised to the Cardinalate. As the new Pontiff stepped from behind the altar the only touch of color about him being his red and gold shoes, he seemed the embodiment of his holy office His face was pale and clearly softened by emotion He paused a moment as he came before the expectant Car"nals then seated himself on the throne with a hurried movement, as though he had suddenly grown weak. His back was to the altar, and he was enthroned to receive the so-called ' first obedience • of the Cardinals. They came forward one by one. All kissed his hand and foot, while he saluted each on the cheek with the kiss of peace. Then all broke into The ' Te Deum ' with such effect that scarcely an eye was dry Pius X then rose, and in a voice at first tremulous, but gradually becoming full and firm, administered the Papal blessing to all of the members of the Sacred College. It was received with bowed and uncovered heads The Fisherman's ring was placed on the Pontiff's finger. The new Pope rose and an effort to have some kind of a procession was made, but Pius X. was literally carried in triumph to his cell, followed by a great concourse and preceded by the cross. He was stopped every step or two by those anxious to kiss his ring and receive the Papal blessing, which the new Pontiff accorded with great benignity and patience. When he arrived at the door of his- cell the Pope turned and, raising his hands, gave in a voice almost suffocated with emotion his benediction to the assembly, which received it on bended knees. After a short rest, imposed by the fatigue and emotion of his election, Pius X. joined his court in the Ducal Hall for the solemn benediction which he was about to give to the people of Rome. Although to ordinary eyes the confusion was as great as ever, to those practised in the mysteries of the Vatican order was coming out of the chaos, and the bearing of all in the presence of the Pope was much more formal. The babel of voices sank at his approach, while none addressed him unless he spoke first. The formal salutations having terminated, a procession was formed. In the centre was The Pontiff in His White Robes, his figure standing out above those surrounding him, his silver hair gleaming under his white cap. He was surrounded by the Cardinals, still in their violet robes, and preceded by the Pontifical cross. The procession traversed many noble halls until it approached the window looking into St. Peter's. From below rose a murmur of voices which, although subdued by distance, denoted the presence of a large concourse of people. The Pope was seen to grow pale, and then, turning to Cardinal Bacilieri, who stood beside him, he said : ' Now I understand the emotion Pope Leo always showed when going into St. Peter's to have -the eyes of a great crowd focussed on him. It is almost terrifying.' Then followed the ceremony of blessing already described. Although the election was ended at 11 o'clock on Tuesday morning and was announced to the world 49 minutes later by the appearance of the new Pope at the window of St. Peter's, the Conclave was not formally dissolved until half-past five o'clock in the afternoon. The Cardinals then returned to their various apartments in Rome, with the exception of Cardinals Oreglla and Rampolla, who temporarily retain their official suites in the Vatican, and Cardinal Herrero y Espinosa,

who is too ill to be removed for several days. It was to the stricken Cardinal that the new Pope paid his first visit after being formally proclaimed Pontiff.