Pope Leaves The Vatican For First Time Since I870 - Picturesque view of thousands of Chorister Clad in white leading the way from St. Peter's Cathedral (on left) in colorful procession that marked the first exit of any Roman Catholic Pontiff from the Vatican since 1870. Thousands lined the streets as Pope Pius left the Vatican city to celebrate mass at the closing of the international pilgrimage of seminarists on the feast day of St. James the apostle. February 8, 1929. (Photo by International Newsreel Photo).