Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-07-20
THE VATICAN

Leo was noted for the attention he used
to give to missionary fathers who went to
Rome from their distant fields Of labor to
obtain audience with the head of the
church his information regarding tine
status of the Catholic church in the United
States was notably full and accurate. On
one day he gave audience TO Il bishop whose
diocese included a large portion of Alaska,
a priest whose work was conducted under
the burning skies of Borneo and native
Syrian, newly ordained as Il priest, whose
field was located not far from the scenes of
Christ's life on earth OF the details and
difficulties of the labors of each of these
three fathers the pope informed himself ac-
curatcly, ard to each he made suggestions
that were Of much practical value
On the official notification, by the
PCpc's medical attendants that his hoh-
ness l. in a critical condition. the sac
Rome. At st. Peters Ii l. exposed on
the nigh altar, covered with Il cloth Of
white lawn, which l. only removed on
the death OF the pope.
Meanwhile >ummOnSe> are sent bV telC-
graph to the foreign or absent cardinals,
and those in Rome are called to the
vatican.
On the death occurring. the first step
TO be taken are the official verifcdtiOn
that the vicar of Christ Is no more.
This act. which i performed with Il Ger
tain prescribed ceremony, deVOlNeS upon
the cardinal CamerlingO lchamberlainD to
whom, on the demise of the holy father
the supreme authority for the time being
i committed. Attired in full canOnical>.
His Eminence. attended by the cardinals.
prelates and laYmen of high rank at the
papal court, proceeds to the chamber of
death. Knocking at the door with Il
wand of silver, the cardinal camerlingO
enters the room, and advancing TO the
couch on which hes the dead figure OF
the pope. touches the breast and fore
head and then sinkin" on his knees, pro
claims in u loud voice: "DOMI\tS
PAPA NOSTER MORTUUS EST" The
Eisherman's ring and the other papaI
seals are then handed TO the cardinal
ClmeTllugO. together with 4 document.
formally atteSting the death of the pope.
A. soon as this ceremony is accORp iShed
the body i embalmed. and atured in
the pOntltIc1! VeStmentS. as Il pTellmI-
nary to the public exposition of the re-
mains in 1t. Peters. The body. which l.
committed to the charge of the papal
chambcrlain>. l. first of ali taken to the
Slstlne chapel and thence by covered
way TO the great basilica, where ii hes
IN state for three DAYS IN the chapel of
the holy sacrament. repOSing on a richly
dTaped couch. Four members of the
Noble Gaurd watch over the remains,
day and night, with drawn swords. The
body l. 50 exposed that the faithful, in
detiling past can kiss the feet of the
dead pontiif. While every church i'm
Rene Is draped in mourning and MASSES
for the repOse of the soul of the depart
ed. together with the special prayer for
the guidance of the church and of the
new pope. are said constantly. During
this time the arrangements for the hold
ing of the cOnclave are being perfected
The ten sacred congregations meet on
the third day from the pope's death in
the hall of cnnSiStOrV and there anpoint
three members of their body, cardinal
b~hop. 4 cardinal priest and Il cardinal
deacon, to form with the cardinal cam
erlingo. the temporary state executive.
On the first meeting of the cardinals. the
cardinal camcrlingo reads the papal bulls
touching the election of Il pope and then.
in the presence of all. breaks the Fish
crman's ring and signcts OF the deceased
pontitf.