The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-03
ROME.


the Coming Council-Hospitable Prepara-
tions-St. Peters Threatened with Destruc-
tion by Fire-Prospects Of Papal Clemency--
Distinguished Converts.
ROME, March 9, 1860.
In order that your readers may form some idea OF
the number OF prelates who NAV be expected in
Rome to take part In the approaching Ecumenica
Council present catalogue OF the Catholic preates
now living, as well as Of the vacant sees.
The complete list gives IL patriarchs OF Latin and
oriental rite, IL Latin archbishops Immediately de-
pendent on the Holy See, 100 with ecclesiastical
provinces, oriental archbshops Total, 13s. OF
Latin bishops there are o called suburbicarnns,
always cardinals, with sees near Rome; 81 immed
ately subject to the Holy See and $40 with dioceses
e6 bishops OF the Oriental rite. Total, 723.
His Holiness has elevated to the metropolitan dig
nifty 16 gees and erected archbishoprcs and III
blshoprcs. Total, 13l.
Archbtshops' sees in pdrtfbus &c; bishops sees
in parttJuS, los.
The vacant sees are patriarchal-l5 archieps copal
10C episcopal Those occupied amount TO 747 patrar
cha and residential and 23s Ga pdTtibs. So that the
titular Catholic hierarchy comprises 9sl prelates
There are 1875 apostolic delegations, vicariates and
procedures. besides which the present Pope has
created thirtytwo similar Offices. or these eighteen
vacant. The lengthy catalogue IL completed with
sixteen abbacles and nuHiuS pselacles.
In order to provide with suitable lodgings 80 many
dgnitares Of the Church the Pope has named
special commission OF SIX prelates aud president
10 provide residences and exercise the sacred duties
OF hospitality In the name OF bis Holiness towards
the reverend fathers assembled In council. The de-
sign for the seats and stalls the transept OF st..
Peters has been enlarged. There Will be now four
teen rows Of stalls rising above the other In the
semi-circular form Of the ancient Greek and Roman
theatres that the outside row will be about the
height of the drst story OF az ordinary dwelling
house. The Pope went TO examine tho samples OF
seats on saturday section or the WOODWORK being
prepared I'm the transept. HIS Holiness made Mon
slgnor Ieodon get IN 10 Try then az maximum sue,
that preate being cast ~ Natures largest mould.r
While giving news from the Vatican must not
omit TO mention that the whole OF that magnificent
pile OF Pontiical spendor was In danger OF being
destroyed by fire on sunday morning. me conna-
grafton burst out at SIX A. ~. In ground moor OF
the triangular courtyard used q store for the plat
forms and benches erected Tor foreign visitors IN ST.
Peters during the Easter week ceremonies such a
mass OF old dry woodwork burned like match wood
and fears were entertained that the flooring above
would give way and allow the DANES 10 penetrate
into the mosaic mandatory where the damage
would have been irreparaDe. as RaBhaes celebrated
picture OF the Madonna al Foigna Is now being copied
there; but fortunately, although the beams were
much scorched they did not yieid and as the corps
OF fremen always stationed at the palace and de-
fachment OF zouaves from the grand guardhouse
were al once summoned TO the scene OF danger the
1re was extinguis,ed after four hours burning
without further damage than the total destruction
OF the wooden apparatus alluded 10.
The Pope, warmly wrapped up ut that early hour
looked out Of the windows Of his suit OF apartments
now and then TO see now matters went on, and car
dinal AntOnel, who, as project OF the palace, was
Immediately ON active duty, treasured his Holiness
repeatedly.
The Pope Is In the best health and spirits possible.
i can quote very recent occurrence In conflrma-
ton My last letter informed your readers that the
11th OF April would be day OF commemorative re-
joicinR throughout the Catholic world, as being the
nitleth anniversary oi the Popcs having said mass
for the first time.
ON sunday the 7th. similar festival on minor
scale took place In the Jesults church. the general
of that influential ORDER, Father Beckz, having cee-
brated the nftieth anniversary Of his officiating al
the altar. On Saturday evening he went TO the Pope
20 communicate the event, and his Holiness replied
peculiarly, "You precede me by a few days; but who
knows that shall not celebrate likewise the hftieth
anniversary OF my conservation as bishopr As
this event took place the 25th OF May, 1927 when
Plus TX, then MonsigDore Mastai, was made Arch
bishop or Spoleto 1t is evident that Ills Holiness
anticipates the achievement OF his eghiy-sxh year
and reign Of the exceptional duration uor Pope
or thirty-One years.
IL Is said that the Pope intends TO grace by an act
OF mercy the approaching 1lth April. An amnesty
on large scale II TO be granted, by which the p0-
utical prisoners concerned in the last Gsribaldiau