On Sunday, we commemorated the centenary of the election of Pope Pius XI; today is centenary of his coronation. Thanks once again to Nicola de’ Grandi for sharing with us these photos of the magnificent ceremony, as well as two images from Italian magazines, one of the Pope’s appearance on the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica. So as not to give any sign that could be interpreted as legitimizing the occupation of the Papal State by the Kingdom of Italy, Popes Leo XIII, St Pius X and Benedict XV had imparted their first blessing as Pope from the windows that face into the basilica; Pius XI was the first Pope to return to the balcony and give the blessing to the crowds in the piazza since the election of Bl. Pius IX in 1846.
