Charlemagne

in the forecourt of the Church of St. Peter on Vatican Hill in Rome. It's Christmas Day here in the eternal city, but this usually joyous occasion may turn out to be a bitter disappointment. For on this Christmas morning, in the year 800, Charlemagne, King of the France and ruler of Western Europe, was to have become the emperor of Rome.

But Charlemagne's absence up to this moment seems to revive a previous rumour, that the The king will not attend the Christmas Mass at which he was to be offered the crown by Pope Leo III.

Disappointment has spread among this huge crowd waiting for the procession to begin, quenching their holiday spirit. The intense anticipation with which these people gathered has turned to gloom. Christmas may appear! You! Amid the pageantry of Christmas in Rome, Pope Leo III waits to offer Charlemagne the crown of the vast Roman Empire.

Roman Empire. CBS takes you back 1149 years to a turning point in the history of Rome and of the world. All things are as they were then, except for one thing. With all the modern facilities of radio present and CBS newsmen reporting from the scene, you are there. You are there. It's based on authentic historical fact and quotation. And now Christmas Day.

reported earlier, the decision to offer Charlemagne the Crown was made only two days ago at a conclave of Roman nobles and fellas. Then came the rumor that Charlemagne's council was pressing him to refuse. It was thought the Frankish King would disregard his council and accept the Crown from Pope Leo until he failed

to appear here this morning. As you know the more marble partico where we're standing opens into the forecourt of the church of Saint Peter. This partico is the traditional starting point of the annual Christmas procession into the great facility. Hopefully, O is waiting in his chambers inside the church. He won't emerge until Charlemagne arrives if he arrives. The king at his at his temporary residence,