San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-02-23
The Papal Funeral and Election.
I. H. JULIAN, Editor.

what may be termed the established
post-mortem programme will be chang
ed in the present case. AS soon as the
death of the Pope has been formally GER
titled and proclaimed the bells of all the
churches in Rome will toll, and the Off
cial known as the Cardinal Camerlengo
will assume authority as sort of Papal
Regent. Twenty-four hours after death
the body will be embalmed, carried to
the Sistine Chapel and robed. The re-
mains lie in state there three days,when
they will be removed to the Chapters
Chapel and inclosed in three collins
securely sealed, and then placed
under the dome of st. Peters. The
funeral ceremonies continue nine days,
and during the last three are exceeding
" imposing. At their conclusion the
triple coffin is deposited in a small vault
in the wall of the great Basilica some
distance above the floor, where it is kept
a year, and then transferred to the spot
selected for final burial. This spot is
usually chosen by the Pope himself, and
Plus TX. will take his long repose in
front of the high altar of St. Maria
Maggiore. His tomb, finished several
years ago, is superb affair, radiant
with -colored marbles and exquisite
mosaics-a tomb fit for king.
On the third day after the Pope's
death the Cardinals meet and the ten
congregations assemble. The fourth
day the Conclave assemblies in the Paul
inc Chapel, the doors of which are
forthwith locked AMI guarded. None
of the mem bers are permitted to leave
or communicate with the outer world
until their work is accomplished. A
two-thirds vote is required for choice,
and there are four modes: Scrutiny"
"access," compromise, "'and Gin
spiration.n No voting by proxy is al
lowed. Twice each day, as long as the
conclave lasts, each Cardinal present
writes his own name, and the name of
the person for whom he votes, on slip
of paper; then advances to the altar,
kneels and repeats prayer, and
deposits the ballot in a consecrated
chalice, repeating another prayer as ne
leaves the altar. When all have voted
a short pause intervenes, and then the
ballots are taken from the chalice by
officers appointed for the purpose. They
are counted and compared with the
number of Cardinals present. If the
requisite two-thirds is obtained, the for
tunate candidate is declared duly elect
ed. If not, the slips of paper are at
once burned, and the little cloud OF
smoke escaping through small tue
tells the anxious crowd outside that no
election has occurred. Then the same
process is repeated. This is the "scru-
tiny" If votes be added to those al
ready given to one candidate, so as to
make the required two-thirds, it
is called access" If the friends
of two closely matched candidates
unite on a third, it is called
compromise. If by sudden move.
ment in the College, whether impromptu
or prearranged, name is proposed and
carried by reclamation, it is called Gin
spiration." Plus TX. was elected in this
way. Formerly it was understood,
though never, we believe, laid. down in
canon law, that the three great Catholic
powers, France, Austria and Spain, had
the right to vote upon the election Of
one candidate, which was exercised
through one of their Cardinals in the
conclave. This right has lately been
the subject of discussion in the Vatican
councils, and has doubtless been annull-
ed. At any rate it may be considered
certain that the choice of the Sacred
College at the coming election will be
Pope. with or without the approval OF
the three powers.
There are, we think, 62 cardinals now
living-the full number being 1O-of
whom SCARE Italians and 26 born be-
yond the frontiers of Italy. That an
Italian will be chosen is almost certain.
The last German Pope was Stephen y
elected in 1856. The last French Pope
was Gregory NJ, elected in 1870. The
last and only English Pope was Adrian
w., elected in 1154. The last and only
Portuguese Pope was XXI.. elected in
1916. The last Greek Pope was Alex
ander W, elected in 1909. The last
Spanish Pope was Alexander VI, elect
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