Rome's Dazzling Ovation, 25th Anniversary of Pope Leo XIII's Coronation

Rome, 1903

WAS A GREAT DEMONSTRATION

Rome the Scene of Dazzling Ovation to Pope Leo XIII

THE ILLUMINATIONS AT NIGHT TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF CORONATION IS CELEBRATED

PONTIFF AFFECTED BY SCENE

Out of the Seventy-five Thousand Present One Thousand Were Americans

Rome, March 3. — "The demonstration has been so affecting. It surpassed all my expectations. I am completely satisfied. There was no note of discord."

The above words were spoken by Pope Leo after the impressive services in honor of the 25th anniversary of his coronation. When the pope returned to the vatican from the basilica, he was carried throughout the whole length of the cathedral, rising erect many times to bestow blessings, while princes, cardinals, diplomatists and bishops bowed low and the crowd saluted him frantically. When the pontiff had departed the people immediately left. When the pope returned to his apartments he wished to discuss the ceremony and give his impressions of it, but his physician insisted on complete quiet on which the pontiff exclaimed the words given above.

In the evening all the sacred edifices in Rome, monasteries, convents, seminaries and many private houses were illuminated, the Trastevere quarter and Leoine city especially presenting a blaze of light, while the general effect was heightened by the burning of bengal fires throughout the city. The pope rose from his couch and going to a window gazed upon this scene. The view from the vatican, embracing a stretch of seven miles, brilliant with light, was a marvelous one and his holiness exclaimed as he withdrew from the window: "This will, indeed, be a pleasant thing to dream of."

The Celebration.

From sunrise to day all Rome was on the alert, showing the most unusual animation and interest in the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the coronation of the pope. An immense crowd including hundreds of Italian troops in various modern uniforms; foreigners of all nationalities, including many women in varied attire; Italians from all parts of the country, assembled about the vatican and St. Peter's long before the ceremonies began. There was general discomfort among the sightseers owing to the drizzling rain. When the doors of St. Peters opened an almost indescribable struggle occurred, in which all present forgot the rules of his holiness; striving hard with elbows and feet to reach the interior of the sacred edifice the gowns of many ladies were mutilated, and some women were carried away in a fainting condition. The tribunes were soon crowded to overflowing and all standing space was occupied. After an hour of very fatiguing waiting the majestic procession, composed of the great dignitaries of the church, began to appear.

At 11 precisely, the great bell of St. Peter's rang out the signal, which was followed by chiming of bells of 500 churches in Rome, sounding the announcement the pontiff is on his way to the basilica. As the pope appeared inside of St. Peter's the people sent forth a tremendous roar of welcome.

Impressive Ceremonies.

From his elevation on a new sedia gestatoria, carried by 12 men in costumes of red brocade, flanked by the famous flabelli (spreading feather fans) and surmounted by a white and gold canopy, the pope appeared to be more than a human being; he seemed to be a white spirit, this impression being added to by the pontiff's white robes, and white mitre, delicate features, his face was white as alabaster and his thin hand moving slowly in benediction. As the well trained voices of the sistine choir sang the Tu Est Petrus thousands of voices shouted "Long Live Pope Leo," handkerchiefs fluttered in the air, banners of the various societies represented were waved, and many of those present, overcome with emotion, sobbed loudly, while others fainted from their excess of feeling or fatigue.

When the pope arrived at the throne the ceremony proceeded rapidly. Leaving the sedia gestatoria the pontiff knelt in prayer, then rose without assistance, donned the falda and new triple crown, and the celebration of the mass began. At the moment of the elevation of the host a profound silence fell on the assemblage, the guards presented arms and the people knelt, where it was possible for them to do so, and from the cupola came the clear, thin sounds of silver trumpets giving an idea of heavenly music. The pope then administered the papal benediction and retired to a room for restoratives, prepared on purpose every time he goes to St. Peter's. There addressing Dr. Lapponi, his private physician, the pontiff said:

"You see, that after all your warnings the ceremony did me good; what touching loyalty."

It was calculated there were about 75,000 people present, including 1,000 Americans.


By Wireless Telegraphy.

New York, March 3. — The following telegram has been sent to the pope by Cardinal Gibbous by the Marconi wireless system:

"American hierarchy, clergy and laity send congratulations on your jubilee."

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the reign of the pope was observed at St. Patrick's cathedral here with pontifical mass and thanksgiving celebrated by Archbishop Falconio, apostolic delegate to the United States. Falconio was assisted by a number of prominent church dignitaries.

—Davenport Daily Republican, Davenport, Iowa, March 4, 1903, pages 1 and 2.

Note: I left the capitalization as it was in the original article, words like Vatican, other things that would ordinarily be capitalized today. But the original headline had him as "Leo XIV," which I changed. The pope died that same year, July 20, 1903.