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May 8, 2025
Watching the announcement of the new Pope - Leo XIV - today brought me back 62 years to June 30, 1963 when we were at St. Peter's square in Rome for the Coronation of Pope Paul VI.
At the time, we were living in Rome and my dad was stationed at the US Embassy.
The coronation ceremony took place nine days after he had been elected Pope following the death of John XXIII.
Look for Leo XIV's inauguration ceremony to take place some time within the next few weeks.
Pope Paul VI's 1963 coronation was the first time a papal coronation took place on the square outside Saint Peter's Basilica.
This was due to the fact that much of the basilica's interior was inaccessible because seating had been erected for the Second Vatican Council.
The ceremony was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. to avoid Rome's afternoon heat.
More than 90 countries and international organizations sent delegations.
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.
Pope Paul VI's throne was draped in white and after making its way through the throng of attendees in the square - including us - it was set in front of the main entrance to the basilica.
We were standing in the middle of the crowd as the new Pope's throne was carried towards the basilica.
The following is a selection of photo's that my dad took that day.
On days like today I am reminded that I really did have a Forrest Gumpian childhood...
