The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-07-22
UNIQUE AND cNIEMN CEREMONY
FOLLOWING THE DEMISE OF
ROMAN PONTlFF.
PRINCES OF The CHURCH ATTEND
TWENTY-NiNE CARDINALS NOW
IN ROME PRESENT IN THE
DEATH CHAMBER.

Rome. July 22.-The first OF those
grandoise and unique ceremonies
which folloN the demise Of pope be-
gan during the morning and, although
private, IL was conducted with great
pomp and was most impressive All
the cardinals present in Rome, num-
bering twenty nine, assembled at the
apostolic palace to view the remains OF
the late Leo XIII and officially to pro-
nounce him dead. Cardinal Oreglia,
dean of the sacred college, had to put
aside his cardinal robes as a sign OF
deep mourning and was gowned entire
ly in violet The other cardinals wore
crimson robes. with violet collars, in
dicative Of mourning.
Within the death chamber the body
lay with a white veil over the face, on
the bed. surrounded by Franciscan
penitentiaries, while outside the noble
guard maintained solemn vigil. The
profound silence was only broken by
the chanting of prayers for the dead.
Into this solemn presence came the
mourning procession of cardinals,
who, kneeling. silently prayed.
Then the prelates looked reverently
on while Cardinal Oreglia approached
the remains. The white veil was re-
moved from the dead mans face, re-
Nealing the cameo-like features OF the
departed pope, rendered sharper and
more transparent by death. So lifelike
was the body that those present half
expected Leo to raise his hand in the
familiar gesture of blessing.
Recognition of Pope's Death.
A moment of breathless silence en-
sued and then Cardinal Oreglia, taking
the asperSorium, sprinkled the late
pontif with holy water and said In
Arm voice. "Gioacchino, 1.-THE Chris
tlan name of the deceased holy father).
When there was no answer the same
word was repeated three times, louder
and louder, after which, turning to the
Aneeling cardinals, Cardinal Oreglia
kolemniy announced: Papa we're NOR
tuus est" C"The pope is really dead ,.
After this, in voices trembling with
emotion. the ranking cardinals reclted
the De Profundis.' gave absoiution
and sprinkled the body with holy wa
Ter.
Following the ceremony of the recog-
milton Of the death OF the pope by the
sacred college came another, shorter'
but no less significant and Symphonic.
On Leos finger was the famous flsner
mans ring, which Cardinal Ofegila'
with a whispered prayer, drew gentiy
OFF and which, later, will be broken IN
the presence of the cardinals, reset
and presented to the new pope when
he Is elected.
The cardinals present in Rome met
during the morning under Cardinal
Oreglia In a preparatory congregation,
held in the hall of the consistory.
Oreglia communicated to them the
first instructions he has given since
the death of the pope. informing them
of the numerous messages or condo
lence received from all parts OF the
world and Of the universal mourning
for Leo XIII. An exchange OF ideas
took place regarding the ceremonies
preceding the conclave.
Replaces Late Mgr. voipini.
At the morning meeting of the con-
Eregation of cardinals Mgr Merry del
Nal, the first apostolic delegate to
Canada, was Professionally appointed
secretary OF the consistorial congrega-
tion, replacing the late Mgr. Volpini
This probably will be followed by max
Ing the provisional appointment per-
manent.
The position of secretary of the con-
sistorial congregation has additional
Importance, since 1t will lead to the
nomination OF Mgr. Merry del Val as
cardinal by the new pope.
Late In the afternoon the body OF
Pope Leo was embalmed and clothed
In full pontifical robes, preparatory TO
the funeral obsequies.
Inside the magnificent Church OF St.
Peter can be heard the sound OF the
hammer and chisel already preparing
Leo's temporary tomb A massive
wooden platform had been made into
the basilica, reaching half way to the
ceiling, to the left OF the nave. Around
this structure stood gaping crowd
watching half dozen swarthy work
lnen prepare the niche wherein Leo's
hOfiln will soon rest.