American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-07-08
THE DEATH AND FUNERAL CERE-
MONIES OF THE POPE OF ROME.

The following are the principal ceremonies
observed at Rome on the death of the sove-
reign PontiH -
''As soon as the reigning Pope has ceased
to live, the Pope's Great Chamberlain, ac-
companied by the Clerks of the Apostocal
Chamber, is conducted TO the bedroom of the
deceased Pontf, where he verfes his mortal
remains, and receives from the hands of the
Master of The Chamber the 'fisherman's ring
This ring, and the seal of bulls, called the
'leaden seal, are broken by the chief master
of the ceremonies in presence of all the Car
dinals. The Pope's Great ChamberIa then
holds congregation with the same clerks,
and in this reunion he appoints all the officers
of the Chamber.
"Twenty-fOdr hours after the Pope's death,
his body is embalmed. In the evening of the
third day, it is transported to the church of
ST. Peters with the same pomp that surround.
ed the Sovereign Pontif on solemn occasions;
there is also detachment Of artillery which
forms part of the cortege The body, thus
embalmed, remains exposed in The Chapel of
the Holy Sacrament during three days, the
head turned towards the altar, and the feet
touching the railing which enclosed the chap
ell. 1 he people pay their last homage of re-
spect and regret 10 The mortal remains of the
Pope by kissing his feet through the bars
"A large and rich catafalque is raised dur
ing this period in the middle of the principal
nave OF the basilca. The portrait Of the de-
ceased Pope, and the most memorable events
of his reign, are painted in gray coors, and
ornament the different sides OF the mauso-
leum. The funeral commences in the even
ing of the third day by the ceremony of inter-
ment, which takes place in the presence Of the
Great Chamberlain, the Cardinals appointed
by the deceased, and the clerks of the cham
Der. The body, enclosed in triple coffin, is
afterwards placed near the chapel Of the choir
until the time of sepulchre.
"The funeral ceremonies last during nine
days The cardinals, p;elates, magistrates of
Rome, officers of the pont fcaI household
all those, in fact, who u.ually assist in the
Papal chapels, are present at these ceremo-
MES. The Sacred College assemblies before
the funeral mass, in the sacristy of st. Peters
and here appoint the different public officers
for the government of Rome, the Council of
Safe and the Concave."
"Tbe Church of Rome" says Galignani's
Messenger, "is now rendering to the deceas, d
Pope its last Offices, which are called the No
pan Dali, because they last nine days. The
cardinals, formally assembled exercise the
sovereign authority, and are making prepara-
lions for the great act Of the election of
successor 10 the late pontif, who must be one
of their body. The diplomatlsts are admitted
10 short audiences. Each minister, after the
usual compliments, ventures to give his private
recommendations, but always in general
terms, waiting till his letters OF credence are
to be enounced, and which must be addressed
to the Sacred College, which receives them
at the grated wicket of the Conclave. 10 the
evening of the day when the Cardinals enter
into the Conclave, they proceed there in pro-
cession, chanting the "Veni Creator" Du-
ring this evening, the members of the diplo-
matte body may enter into the Conclave, and
even the cells or apartments of the cardinals.
At the closing in on the night, an official
walks through the corridors ringing bell, as
the signal OF departure, and the Conclave is
closed in, not to be re opened until after the
election is consummatcd. All this will pass
on the 18th of June, between and 10 o'clock
The Conclave is guarded by a Prince, called
the Marshal of the Conclave, posted at the
outer, gates. The first step in the election
will be taken on the 18th All business is
suspended during the sitting of the Conclaye,
even the tribunals suspend their proceedings,
and the only authorities that retain their func-
tons are the Camerlingua, the Grand Peni-
Tertiary, and the Vicar IF Rome. No order
can be issued from any other authority with
out being specially confirmed by the assembled
cardinals, which confirmation is transmitted
Immediately to the Governor of Rome and
the Treasurer General According to the Gus
tom which has always been Observed the ar.
rival of the Cardinal Legates and the foreign
Cardinals will be waited for before the cleo
ton is seriously entered upon. The first may
arrive at Rome, in time for the second or
third day OF the Noptn Dali, and the others
by the twentieth day after the death of the
Pope, consequently there can be no election
before the 2Oln of June, unless some unfore
seen event shall occur.
To constitute valid election the candidate
must obtain a! least two. thirds of the votes