famine, and pestilence, to prey upon hapless nations, they ascended
the Capitol to offer incense with polluted hands to their profane
gods; and meantime the groans of the dying and unpitied princes, whom
they had reserved to decorate their triumph, ascended from the scala
Gemonia to call down the vengeance of heaven upon their oppressors.
But while the pacific and holy vicar of Christ returns in triumph to
his capital, the lips of babes and sucklings sing his praises, as they
did those of his Divine Master, and he implores heaven to shower down
benedictions on his enemies as well as his beloved children.

[Sidenote: P. II Papal chapel on palm-sunday.]

[Sidenote: Lights used at mass, etc.]

At about 9 o'clock on palm-sunday morning the Cardinals, Prelates
and others assemble near the chapel of the Pieta at S. Peter's, as at
present the solemn service takes place in that basilica, and not as
formerly in the Sixtine chapel. The crucifix over the altar is veiled,
in token of the mourning of the church over her divine spouse's
sufferings[28]. On the altar are six lighted candles, and other
torches are brought in after the _Sanctus_ of the Mass, and held till
after the elevation, in honour of the B. Sacrament, by four _acoliti
ceroferarii_[29].

[Sidenote: sacred vestments]

As the pope is to bless and distribute the palms, and a solemn
procession is to take place, the Cardinals put on their sacred
vestments, viz. all of them the amice, the cardinal bishops the
surplice and the cope, the priests the chasuble, and the deacons a