Coronation of Pope Paul VI
Paul VI was crowned as Pope on 30 June 1963 at Vatican City's St. Peter's Square, nine days after he was elected. The representatives of over 90 countries and international organizations were present at the coronation. The Pope was crowned with a jewelled, but lightweight custom-made tiara. The centuries-old practice of inaugurating a papacy with a papal coronation lapsed thereafter as his successors, beginning with John Paul I, adopted simpler ceremonies that did not include the imposition of a tiara. Ceremony Anticipating large crowds, for the first time the papal coronation took place on the square outside Saint Peter's Basilica; much of the basilica's interior was inaccessible because seating had been erected for the Second Vatican Council. The ceremony was scheduled for 6 p.m. to avoid Rome's afternoon heat. More than 90 countries and international organizations sent delegations, including the presidents of Brazil and Ireland and the king and queen of Belgium. Some 71 cardinals attended. The Pope's throne was draped in white and set in front of the main entrance to the basilica. To either side were placed crimson-covered benches for the cardinals and other high-ranking clergy. Seats for the diplomatic corps were located to the Pope's right and places were reserved for his relatives, European royalty, Roman nobility, visiting dignitaries and journalists to his left. Additional places for journalists were provided on the rooftops of the Apostolic Palace and the colonnades around the square. Some 400 journalists had attended Pope Paul's press conference on the eve of the coronation and 500 attended the coronation. An altar with golden candlesticks and a crucifix by the Renaissance artist Benvenuto Cellini was set in place. A group of Swiss Guards led the papal procession into the square, followed by members of the papal household and an attendant carrying the papal tiara on a red cushion and others carrying mitres. Next came a large body of clerics, curial officials and prelates vested in white with white mitres. Then came a variety of papal officials of higher rank in "the costumes of 16-century Spanish grandees", and the prefect of pontifical ceremonies, Archbishop Enrico Dante. Finally eight men carried in the Pope on his portable throne, the sedia gestatoria, canopied in cream-colored silk and flanked by two flabelli (long-handled, semicircular ostrich-feather fans that "lent an exotic touch to the scene"), as well as by sword-bearing Swiss Guards, by a dozen mace bearers, by more members of the papal household and by senior officers of the Vatican's military forces. The Pope wore a gold mitre and white gloves, and he was covered in "a large richly-embroidered cape that enveloped him from neck to feet". His papal ring could be seen as he blessed the crowd. As the papal procession came through the square, trumpets played the Pontifical Anthem and the bells of the basilica were rung. Arriving near the altar, the Pope took his throne and received each of the cardinals in order of seniority as they offered their obedience. The Pope was vested for