The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1899-04-01
THE ELECTION OF A POPE.

The health of the Holy Father since
the operation performed on him, has
been far from satisfactory. The dis
patches OF the last few days would in
dicaie that his death may be near. The
balloting Tor his successor would be- as
follows:
On the night preceding the tenth
day OF the Pope's death, all the Cardin-
ais are summoned by Il bell thrice rung
from the cell like rooms of the Vatican
which they have occupied since their
arrival in Rome. From this moment
until the result of the balloting is an
nounced they can have no communica-
ton ave with the Vatican officials.
Their clothing and even their food is in
spected, least they contain communica-
lions from friends without, which would
influence the choice.
The first vote is the Dean of the col
lege, who takes a piece OF paper eight
inches long and lour inches wide and
writes upon it the name of his can1i.
date. This he folds, seals it al both
ends and folds it again in the middle.
Then he advances to the alter on which
are Two silver bowls. The ballot is held
up between the finger and thumb, and
the Cardinal kneels and takes II solemn
oath that he chooses the person whose
name is on the piece OF paper, then he
drops The ballot in the bowl nearest his
desk. All the Cardinals follow the Dean
in order OF their rank as members oi the
college,
Ii two-thirds of the Cardinals present
lail TO agree oil u person the ballots,
together with wet straw are burned, in
in order that the people outside may
know that no choice has been made.
The burning of the ballots closes thu
session, and the conclavs then aljourns
until the evening OF that day.
During the time inter venting between
the close OF the first session AMI the
opening ON the evening session tor the
taking OF the second ballot, and oppor-
tunity is given the Cardinals represent
ing the foreign powers to ntate whether
serious objections may.exist against any
candidate and their objections are duly
considered by other Cardinals.
In the evening session voting is CON
tinued along the same lines AZ the
morning session. When the necessary
two-thirtls vote il secured IA bell is rnng
and the successful candidate announced.
all the senior Cardinals ,hen advance to
the place occupied by the newly APP
pointed Pontiff, and inquire il he is
willing to accept the new position.
Ii he signifies his Willingness, a. Is
usually the ease, he gives himself a new
name, aud all the canopies Of the other
Cardinals are lowered hut hi4, 10 signify
whereas before all were of equal rank
they now acknowledge their loyalty to
the, new head of The church.
The newly elected Pope then ,lons the
white Pontifical vestments, and the
Camerlingo approaches him and places
on his finger u new king OF the Fisher"
the old one having been broken to pieces
according 10 the time IonorpdN custom.
After ~pronouncing his blessing on the
''city OF the world" the new Pope be-
gins preparation for the imposing cere-
monies of coronation.
At the time Of the election Of the
present Pope three ballots were taken,
the third showing that ont OF the total
sixty-two votes, (orty-lonr were east in
favor Of the Bishop of rerugia. The
moment the result l~'ume known, Car
diual Francis the defeated candidate,
threw himself on his knees before Car
urllngn. p,oclaiming him Pope aud be-
setching his blessing upon himself.