The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-12
The Pope OF Rome and his Power-The Late
Foreign PontiH.

The Pope OF Rome and his Power-The Late
Foreign PontiH.
We give IN another part Of the paper, an accu-
rate likeness of the deceased Pontiff Gregory XVI
from the painting in the Vatican by Paul Della
roche
The death OF Pope in modern times is not a
matter calculated 10 create much excitement or
stir, but in former times, before the reformation
Of Luther a circumstance of this kind usually
shook the civilized world from the centre to the
extremties. The election of successor to a
deceased Pope was then conducted with secrecy
and a vast deal of Formally, and in some cases
was attended with rgor and inconvenience 10 the
electors.
We take the following description OF the old
manner of election, from Donovaris work on an
cient and modern Rome -
The Papal government is monarchica and elective the
Sovel being chosen by the cardinals assembled in
conclave Nine days are allowed for the obsequies of
the deceased Pope the tenth the cardinals shut
up, each with domestic, in a apartment in
tie uirinal Palace small window is reserved for the
HtToductios of necessares but both door and window
closely guarded by the city magistrates against all
external communication If the election he not
ted in three days the tables of the electors reduced
20 a single dish at dinner and the supper con-
siderable prvaon to those accustomed from early HE
. :Se varieties OF continental fare ard ssSr -.
eig cay iey reduced 10 scanty pittance OF bread
water and wine. The votes given BY ballot and the
integrity OF the voters further guarded by solemn
oath When elected, the Pope accepting the dignity
becomes temporal sovereign of the ecclesiastical state
AMI spiritual head of the Catholic Church throughout
the world On the festival after his election he is
generally speaking crowned in st Peters having BEEN
II not previously bishop consecrated by the cardinal
Dean oil me sacred College, TO whom as Bishop OF Osa
belongs that privilege. With his dignity he
sumes new name and takes solemn possession of St.
John Lateran the first bssilc presented by the first
Christian Emperor to the last pontfcal dweler in the
catacombs
The FIRST idea of Concave. or ocket up meeting of
cardinals for the election of Pope originated in Vitebo,
where the popes resided in the thirteenth century
ing temporarily abandoned Rome in consequence OF the
civil euds OF the Guelphs and Ghibelines The papal,
the episcopal residence at vterbo, ted in
1906 on the ruins of temple of Hercules find
corded by inscription still the principal dence
In the same century, Henry dAlmaigne son of Richard
gland, led by suriosity vterbo in the COM
pany OF the kings of France and Sicily witness the
election of successor TO Pope Clement w Early one
merning he entered a church to hear mass After its
conclusion he remained intent his devotons and
In the church by his two cousins Simon and
Guy de Montort The two soveregns, horrifed at the
sacrelgous assassination, abandoned Viterbo; and tho
assembled cardinals were disposed to follow their
Pile Saint Bonavenlure-who was on the spot
seeing the evils that might arise to the church from
vacancy of the chair OF St Peter, prevailed the chi
to close the city gates in order prevent the es.
cape OF the electors who thus induced proceed
with the election In the great hall of the papal palace
constructed for their mediation as MANY cells
as there were cardinals present. and sentinels were
placed to guard them Months however elapsed with
out the choice OF Pope when the Suggestion of one
OF the electors the people uncovered the roof OF the hall
TO urge the tardy cardinals the election exposing
the 10 the incemency of the weather The expedient
however failed OF success and the disappointed citizens
bethought themselves of still stringent argument;
they reduced the food of the electors to a very small al
lowance and thus was obtained the desired result.
Theobold Visconti had accompanied Edward l. of Eng.
land his expedition PALESTINE and the ia re of his
virtue and learning induced the cardinals recall him
from Acre fill the chair of ST. Peter after vacancy OF
three years. The newly elected pontf took the name
OF Gregory Il and at the instance OF Edw who de-
msnded justice the assassns of his cousin CIV de
aontior the only survivor as convicted by the pontf
OF sacrllege and murder pronounced infamous and an
Outlaw and was rendered incapable OF inberiting pos
of llinga Alec
oil trust or emolumen in the state. In the communal ar
chives of Yerbo is still preserved parchment docu
ment, dated MccLxx recording permission granted to
Henry Bishop of Ostia and Veletria TO leave the upco
vered hall OF the royal palace on account of III health
ana the tagged floor OF the apartment still preserves the
cells - ~
we gave sometime since the formaltes that
were necessary to be followed in an election of
thus kind at the present time, and which, no doubt
have been strictly followed in the election of the
successor of Gregory 10th.
Notwithstanding that the powers of the Roman
Pontff have been considerably abridged by the
Protestant reformation, yet his influence is almost
equal TO that exercised by many of the monarchs
OF the old world At the present time he exercises
temporal sovereignty at least four millions of
people, but his spiritual sovereignty is much
greater, probably one hundred and thirty mil
ions is calculated that his spiritual sovereign
who, while belonging to the Catholic church, are
bound, under the pain of expulsion, to obey the
spiritual mandates of the successor of ST. Peter
great mistake is generally made by those who
are not well informed on the rights and PRIVILEGES
ofthe Pope. BY many well disposed persons it
IS supposed that the temporal and spiritual priv-
leges of the Roman Pontff are identical The
reverse is the case-for while persons belonging
TO the Catholic Church consider themselves bound
as members of that church, to faithfully follow his
mandates so far as they relate to the concerns of
the church, they are not bound, and will not at
tend to his commands in any other capacity As
temporal sovereign, he rules politically over the
Papal dominions, but beyond there, his SOVEREIGN.
ty does not extend. In the papal dominiops no
is King as well as Pope, but beyond there he s
only recognised as the visible head of the church
The want Of information on this distinction has
been the source of much difficulty aud distur.
bance.
Was it not that this wrong impression is in
duged IN by the majority of the American people
we never should have witnessed such disgracef,l
scenes as occurred in Philadelphia and Charles
town.
VOLUNTEERS FOR CALIFoRNA-We notice in
cOIupnps