The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1878-02-15
How They Elect aPope

The position of ruler of the Ro-
mish church is one which affects all
nations and all peoples, hence the
universal interest manifested Just
now over the selection Of success
sor of the dead Pope. The manner
of selecting Pope will be of inter-
est. He is elected by the College OF
Cardinals, of which there are now
upward of sixty, only one of whom
resides in the United States-Cardi-
nal McClosky. The first step is for
the dean of the college 10 inform
the Cardinals by letter of the cleo
ton, and request their attendance.
Tie time for them to attend is linn
tied to ten days. McClosky sailed
last Friday, and will only reach
Rome in time, if he meets with no
hi Ddrances on his trip. On the 10th
day from the notice by the dean the
college assemblies. The members
are locked up in their respective
rooms. 1t takes two thirds of those
present to elect. No difference how
small the number present may be,
they must proceed at once with the
election. Each, cardinal has rooms
in the Quirinal, and q sufficient
number of attendants to minister to
his wants, and the rooms are guard
ed by Roman soldiers. Under no
circumstances is outside communi-
cation allowed. Two sessions are
held daily, aud at each one the car
dinals vote for the person of their
choice by writing the name of the
person on a card and depOsiting 1t
in chalice upon the altar. AS each
votes he pronounces the following
oath: 81 call to witness Christ the
Lord who is to Judge me that 1 am
choosing the person who before
God ought to be elected" If no one
has the required two-thirds the ball
lots are burned and the work begins
anew. Should q selection not be
made in two days, according to 3
decree promulgated In 1871, the fare
of the cardinals is reduced to one
dish of plain food per day. If no
choice is made by the 9th day, their
rations are reduced to bread, wine
and water. ConclAVes have been
known to last q number of days.
All intercourse between the mem-
bers during the conelaxe Is forbid
den under pain Of exe6mmunica-
ton. The Anathema lfollows those
who lay wagons on the result. As
soon as the Pope is selected, he is
approached by the dean to ascertain
what name he wishes to assume.
When this Is done the dean places on
the fingers of the new Pope the So
called "Fsherman's Ring" This ring
is the chief insignia of papsl author
ity. It is made of the purest gold,
with the Pope's name engraved up
on It. Without the seal Of this
Fisherman's ring no document ema-
mates from him. The Inauguration
ceremonies are grand. Probably
the hall of the cOnsistory will be
chosen for the holding of the ballot
for the new Pope. Prince Chigi,
marshal of the eonclaye, has assum-
ed his functions, and given orders
for the customary walling mp of the
doors of communication, and the re-
moval of those living on the same
hoor on which the conclave assem-
lbles. Cardinals Bilios Peccia, and
Dihitero will govern the church
pending the election of the pOntiG.
There is = contest betReen the ul-
tfamontanes and liberals over the
election. The candidates of the for
mer are Cardinals Luigi, BiIeo, snd
Amino Banbeiaeo. The liberal can
didases are Cardinals Tnnccente Fer
rier and Oomillo De Pletro.