The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-07
THE ELECTION OF A POPE
RULES OF THE ROMAN CHURCH By
WHICH ITS HEAD Is CHOSEN.
The First Conclave, In 1870, Lasted
Two Years and the PreIates
Practically Were Prisoners.

Fortnightly Review.
Since Stephen III, A. d. 7ee, the Popes
have been invariably chosen from among
the cardinals. except under very peculiar
circumstances. The following Popes have
been elected without having previously re-
ceived the purple, and were either bishops
or priests at the time they assembled the
chair of Peter: Gregory III, $50; Sylvester
IL, 999; Clement IL, 1046; Damascus III, 104S;
St. Leo /. 1919: Victor III. 1866: Nicholas II,
1868; Alexander Ii, 1851; Calixtus ii, 1l19;
Eugenus w. las; Urban ~, 1851; Blessed
Gregory, III; St. Celestin ", 1924; Clement
v. 1906; Urban ", 1862; Urban VI, 1878.
The three orders of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.,
priests and deacons-have been likened to
the three orders of the celestial hierarchy,
the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. Each
cardinal is granted a church in or about
Rome. distinguished either for the relics 1t
contains or as being erected over the scene
of some conspicuous martyrdom.
The Sacred College at present, when COM
pete consists of seventy MEMBERSHIP car
dinal-bishops. fifty cardinal-priests and four
teen cardinal-deacons. The newly created
cardinal receives, as sort of life gift, one
of the aforesaid principal Roman churches,
whose affairs he is obliged to keep In repair.
and it is also rule that during his term of
office his hat and coat-of-arms must be hung
up over the principal entrance. The car
dinal. in taking possession OF this church,
adds Its name to his title.
The cardinals are elected in what Is termed
a consistory or meeting Of the Sacred Col.
lege, or which there are two kindS-pr1vate
and public. At the secret one none but the
Pope and their Eminences are present. On
the the contrary, In the public consistory, when
that is to say, the scarlet beretta, calotta,
etc, the foreign ambassadors and ministers.
the Roman aristocracy. and strangers OF
fngly picturesque ceremony.
The ordinary dress Of a cardinal consists
with many little red buttons. and a light
cloak, cape and train of vivid scarlet silk.
The majority of writers are of opinion that
the choice Of this color is derived from the
the Roman senator's of whom the cardinals
are the successors. 1t has, however, a mys-
or martyrdom. and is intended to remind
their Eminences that they are expected to
die, II necessary, in the defense of the faith.
The first mention of the use OF this color
will be found in Cardinal Ostian's works, in
which he informs us that 1t was universally
YEAR YEAR to o. the one in which the book was writ
TEN. e.. 1874.
At present the usual hat worn by a car
diIal is the black three-cornered beaver
hat common to all priests on the continent,
but having a scarlet ribbon around it and
sold cord and tassels. The beretta Is a
which every Catholic priest wears when in
church and not officiating at the altar; 1t
is. however, scarlet instead of black. The
calotta is merely a little scarlet skull cap.
CARDINALS CHOOSE THE POPE.
Alexander III, in lis, at the Council Of
the Lateran, definitely settled that cardi-
nails should exclusively vote at a papal
election The number Of cardinals. how
ever, at this time had not beer determined,
nor was it so for a long time afterward
for we find Boniface VIII Q012) elected by
a conclave consisting of only eighteen car
dinals: Boniface TX Q3s9) by thirteen
Gregory XII, at the Council Of Lyons in
1874, ordained that the papal elections
should absolutely take place in a council or
conclave expressly arranged for the pur-
pose. Before this time the Sacred College
times tim in St Peters, at St. John Of I1ateran,
or even at the Minerva. During the past
three centuries and especially the first half
of the present. many POpeS have been elect
ed at the QuHnal.
The conclave should by rights assemble
as soon as possible after the Pope's burial,
even in the afternoon of the same day. as
has been frequently the case The first
formally organized conclave was convoked
at Viterbo. in 1870 and lasted longer than
election of Gregory X. 1t appears that
the cardinals who were in Viterbo at the
composed the conclave. could not arrive at
a conclusion as to who was to succeed him.
After sitting for many months. they were
ST Bonaventura persuaded the Viterbans
to surround the palace so as TO prevent
their leaving 1T. proposal which was hailed
with glee by the people. who intimated to
the cardinals that they should remain shut
ur where they were until they had accom-
plished their mission. However even this
years elapsed before the prelates could
make an end Of their session, they remain
irg virtually prisoners all the time
The cardinals allowed to bring with
them a supply of wines, cordials and sweet
meats, but as there are three doctors pro-
vided and shut up with them, they are re-
quested not to introduce any medicines. as
a perfectly well-organiZed pharmacy Is AT
their service. This regulation was evidently
INTENDED to prevent the lea ,Se ru sp,rences
have a cup of coffee or or chocolate anu
small loaf of bread brought into their study
another attendant. who is expected to report
to the cardinal chamberlain If any CONVEX
sation or any accident such as sickness,
has occurred. 80
The cardinal is not expected to speak with
the servants unless Obliged to do So Al
noon their eminences breakfast. and at Z
o'clock they have their supper. These meals
are substantial but frugal, ana consist OF
soup, fish, meat. poultry and dessert, but
no sweet dishes are served IN tne DAY OF
entering the conclave the cardinals are per-
mitted to sup together in small parties In
one anotber's rooms for the last time. At
midnight the bell rings. and such persons
have no business to remain In the conclave.
and who are there only visitors or gos-
sips have to take their leave and depart.
At Q O'Clock In the morning the bell tolls
last time and the gates are finally closed
until the new Pope Is elected.
On the occasion of the conclave which
elevated Plus TX to the throne a medical
gentleman was belated. and had to remain
shut up with the rest until the conclave
closed. A chamberlain and three cardinals
next visit each room, hall and chapel, to see
that no one Is left behind concealed who
has no business there. On the following
conclavists attend mass and then matters
begin to fall into the prescribed routine.
and each candidate is more or less seques-
trated.
CORONATION OF A POPE.
The coronation of a Pope occurs at the
high altar of st. Peter, after a high mass
solemnized with all the pomp and majesty
of which the church Is capable. His Holi-
ness receives the triple tiara from the hands
of the cardinal dean on the steps OF the al
tar. standing. not knceling. as In the case
OF emperors and kings. the cardinal being
on the steps nearest the altar. This takes
place in the presence OF the entire pontifical
court, the ambassadors and aristocracy, as
we'll as OF a multitude which nils. not only
the vast basilica. but also the enormous
piazza without, where people have been sta
toned from a very early hour In order 10 re-
ceive the pontifical blessing from the princi-
pal balcony. The differentiation follows,