Catholic Herald Correspondent
ROME.
GILDED cage of white doves, traditional
offering at a canonisation ceremony, brought the happiest smile for some days to the face of Pope John when on Sunday before some 16,000 people cramming St. Peter's Basilica, he solemnly proclaimed three new saints of the Church.
The voice of the 81-year-old Pope was strong as he read the proclamation elevating three 19th century religious to the altars of the church : St. Pierre Julian Eymard, a Frenchman and founder of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament; St. Antonio Pucci, an Italian Servite parish priest; and St. Frances° da Camporosso, an Italian Capuchin.
Acting on his doctor's advice Pope John took part in only half of the three-hour ceremony, but the 90 minutes he was present represented the longest time he has been at any public ceremony since his 81st birthday two weeks ago.
HAPPY
A stomach ailment possibly an ulcer, and anaemia forced him to bed on November 27. The illness sapped his strength and left him pate.
Although, when he attended Saturday's closing of the first session of the Second Vatican Council, observers reported that Pope John looked tired and that he had some difficulty in getting through part of his closing address, on Sunday he looked happy and was strong of voice.
Sunday's crowds, too, were happy. The instant that the Pope emerged on his sedia a thunderous ovation began to echo through St. Peter's and cries of Viva il Papa rang out, bringing the Pope's finger to his lips as if to quieten them. Then he blessed the people again and again.
Much of the traditional splendour of the ceremony was curtailed and the canonisations took place in the apse of the Basilica, the nave being taken up with the Council stands.
Omitted were the traditional, slow procession of Cardinals, bishops and members of the Pontifical Court preceding the Pope from the Sistine Chapel and through the front doors of St. Peter's. The Pope entered by a side door and only then mounted his portable throne. He conducted the ceremony from a white throne placed before the altar of the chair.
The liturgical feasts of the new saints will be the dates of their deaths : They are August 1, January 12 and September 17.
DEPARTURE
CARDINAL S, Archbishops. bishops and other Council Fathers leaving Rome by train, ship and plane for their dioceses in all parts of the world carried with them a multitude of impressions; impressions of a Council well started; and the general feeling put into words by Archbishop Gray of St. Andrews and Edin Continued on P. 10, Col. 4