Note (return) — CHAP. VI.

At the end of the litanies, the Pope (if His Holiness were not present at the preceding ceremonies) enters the chapel, wearing a white cope and a mitre; at the foot of the altar he repeals as usual the beginning of the mass with the Card. Celebrant at His left hand: in the meantime the choir sings solemnly the Kyrie eleison etc. (as there is no Introit of the Mass, because the people were assembled in the church previously): the Pope goes to His throne, and receives the usual ubbidienza; and the other customary ceremonies of high mass in the papal chapel take place (see p. 19 and foll.) with such exceptions as we shall now mention. As soon as the Celebrant commences the Gloria in excelsis, the veil is removed from the tapestry over the altar; which represents Christ rising from the dead123, the cannons of S. Angelo are discharged, the arms are no longer reversed and the bells of the city are tolled, to announce to its faithful inhabitants the resurrection of their Divine Lord.