The Irish standard., 1903-08-08


polla party consider it as their special
victory. When the first ballot was
taken it showed that the sacred col
lege was divided into two groups. the
stronger one for Rampolla. and an
other not quite so strong for Serafino
Vannutelli. The other votes were
scattered, but included four for Sarto.
On the subsequent ballots, while the
two principal parties We're losing
ground, Sarto gradually gained, draw
ing strength from both sides as well
as from the neutrals until the ballot
yesterday afternoon, when his vote
had increased to thirty-seven, within
six Of the necessary two-thirds. When
the result Of this ballot was announced
i'll the conclave Cardinal Sarto was so
| overcome with emotion and so touch
ed by the unlooked-for confidence re-
posed in him that he could no longer
control his feelings, and to the sur
prise Of all he broke down, declaring
that such responsibility and honor
were not for him and that he must
refuse if offered. Tears rolled down
his cheeks, and he seemed firm in his
determination to refuse the dignity.
He was so palpably sincere that con-
sternation reigned in the conclave and
the cardinals spent the whole evening
and much Of the night in convincing
him that his election was the will of
Providence and that he must accept.
Several times he almost tainted and
had to be revived by the use of salts.
He seemed happy but broken down,
even after all the other candidates had
retired, and on the final ballot lie
looked statue of resignation. Car
dinal Casetta, as scrutineer, was read
ing out the vote. When forty-two
votes had been recorded for the patri-
arch of Venice the scrutineer arose,
lifted his red zucchetto, saying: Habe-
mus pontificem.'
But from many sides cardinals cried
out Continue" AS the vote appro cll-
ed fifty, however, the cardinals. as Of
one accord, surrounded the new pom
tiff and according to tradition demand
ed to know if he would accept the
pontifcate.
Cardinal Sarto's lips trembled so he
could hardly articulate, but after
visible effort he said: eff this cup
cannot pass from me- There he
paused, but the cardinals around him
insisted that it was necessary for him
to answer "yes' or ''no." Thereupon
he replied firmly, Il accept" The new
pope then rose when the result was
declared and walked towards the al
tar. Suddenly he tottered and turned
deadly pale. Two of his colleagues
went to his assistance, and for few
moments he bordered upon collapse.
y whiff of strong ammonia revived
him. and he knelt what seemed many
minutes at the altar, and then rose
quietly after his prayer and spoke the
words quoted.
The choice has fallen upon this
| comparatively obscure man because,
in the language Of an eminent cardin-
al tonight, che is pious and learned
and temperate in his political opin-
ions" When the vote taken in the
conclave this morning showed the cleo
ton of Cardinal Sarto as pope the
news was proclaimed in a loud voice
by the cardinals scrutineers to the
sacred college. Mgr. Merry del Val,
secretary of the conclave, and Prince
Chig, marshal of the conclave, were
notified through bell by Cardinal
Oreglia. They entered the Sistine
chapel amid visible excitement, the
| eager faces of the conclavists and
prelates being seen crowding about the
door. 1t is impossible to describe the
confusion in the chapel. The friends
and supporters of the new pope gath
cred round him. complimenting and
congratulating him. crying, "Vivaw
and even clapping their hands without
ceremony. They appeared to be un-
able to contain their joy. These few