CORONATION OF POPE PIUS XII

THE imagination of the world has been struck and held by the solemn functions held in The Vatican City in connection with the coronation of Pius X11. The King of England was represented by the Duke of Norfolk as Special Ambassador to the Vatican for the coronation; Ireland was represented by its Prime Minister, Mr de Valera; Mr Kennedy, American Ambassador in London, was appointed by President Roosevelt to represent the United States.
40,000 people were present in St. Peter's +o greet the Pope when he was carried into the Basilica, carried high on the " Sedia Gestatoria," the portable Papal throne, above the serried ranks of Cardinals, Bishops, Abbots and Papal Guards.
The procession up the vast church, through the crowds of wildly cheering faithful, took over an hour. On the way the Pope stopped at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel for a few moments' prayer.
At length the procession reached the High Altar, and the Pope, after receiving homage from the Bishops, began his Mass.
The congregation quietened down, and there was a deep stillness through the church when the Pope came to the Consecration, and the silver trumpets rang out from inside The dome.
After this the Mass was soon over The Pope was again raised aloft and again those present saw that unforgettable sight: the Pope robed in full pontificals, carried in state on the shoulders of his attendants, seated in the " Sedia Gestatoria," and flanked by the almost bizarre splendour of the two enormous Papal fans.
The crowd in the Basilica, which had again given vent to its feelings in shouts of loyalty to the Pope, pressed out into the square of St. Peter's to witness the Pope's crowning.
An amazing sight met them: as far as the eye could see, across the enormous Piazza and down the " Via della Conciliazione," nothing could be seen except a solid mass of humanity, all come to witness The crowning of their Pope.
Soon the mitred heads of Cardinals and Bishops could be seen at the windows flanking the central balcony where the coronation was to fake place.
Then the Pope came. He sat on the raised throne in view of half million people. A microphone placed beside the throne carried his word, to many millions of Catholics and others listening in to the broadcast, But first Cardinal Caccia Dominion', Dean of the College of Cardinals recited a short prayer, and then placed the tiara on the Pope's head.
The Pope then rose and blessed that multitude in the square below blessed all in the city of Rome, blessed all Catholics, blessed the world.
Amidst indescribable enthusiasm the Pope lifted both arms, palrm outwards, towards those acclaiming him, turned and left the balcony. The crowning of Pius XII was over.