The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-07-22
IS TO LIE IN STATE.
Continued from First Page

ing to the piazza of st. Peters. Along
the way many shops were closed, and
the streets were filled with a motley
Roman throng.
Dr. Mazzoni was recognized among
tnem, coming from the Vatican, in a
chanee cab. He looked pale and jaded
after his weeks of work with DR.. Lap
POM at Pope Leo's bedside.
coming now to the piazza of st.
Peters, scene OF vital interest began
70 untold itself The vast expanse en-
closed within the stately colonnade
looked majestic in it's serenity.
Looking up at the window. before
which Leo XIII. used to sit, the blinds
could be seen half closed, admitting a
narrow slant of sun to the death cham
Der.
Nowhere about the esplanade was
there the slightest outward sign of
mourning, neither on the church front
nor on the columns or doors of the Vat
lean wherein lay the dead Pontiff. The
main entrance of the Vatican showed
the chief evidence of activity. AS the
equipages drove up with distinguished
prelateS the heavy iron chains contin-
ued to keep back the croEd, leaving a
narrow aisle for the arriving digni-
taries. Back of the chains were massed
SlONQ VI IlOuS olSlll-SECiS anu
scattered soldiers off duty. The official
presence of the Italian soldiery was
kept noticeably in the background.
Preparing LeO's Tomb.
Inside the magnificent church of st.
Peters could be heard the sound of
the chisel and hammer, already pre-
pairing Leos tomb.
The resting place for the casket is
marble slab, about fifteen feet above
the pavement, forming the upper case
ment of one of the massive doors. On
either side are great marble cupids,
while the light comes dimly from above
through two domes surrounded by eX-
quisite Mosaics, one showing the
Apostles and Saint and the other an
angelic chorus.
The workmen pounded and called out
their commands in strange contrast
with the solemn surroundings.
Although Cardinal Oreglia has SUI
preme command of the interests of the
| church, it is Cardinal Respighi who
has been given immediate charge of
the personal affairs relating to the
dead Pope. Accordingly the beautiful
chapel of the Holy Sacrament was for
the time being involved by sweepers
and cleaners, who poured buckets of
then began securing it with pomice
stone The front of the chapel is cut
| off from the main church by a massive
| iron trellace, through which the faith
full can look upon the altar within.
Before the altar is a very narrow
space, where Leo's coffin will be de-
| posted when it comes from the Vati-
| can. This space is so small that the
foot of the casket will extend to the
- p tic
rangement is to carry out the ancient
| ceremony by which the actual foot of
| the dead Pontiff will extend through
| the iron barriers. to permit the kneel-
ing faithful to approach and kiss the
last remnant of Papal authority
through it.
This morning people crowded about
the grating and gazed at the prepara-
ton going on within.
Next Pope May Be Surprise.
According to a statement coming
from a high eccleciastic, arrangements
at the Vatican are being pressed for
ward which will enable the conclave of
cardinals to begin sitting, Aug. /.
| However, it is now thought the ses-
sions may last considerably longer
| than at first expected, even long
enough to permit Cardinal Moran, of
| Sydney, N. S. w, to arrive in time to
take part in the proceedings.
| An ambassador accredited to the
Vatican says the question of Pope
Leo's successor is a peculiarly open
one at the present moment. The per-
| sonality of the candidates plays a
ouch more important part than in any
| preceding conclave, since the condi-
tions prevailing in the past are now
entirely changed, as a result of which
| the approaching conclave will be much
more under the influence of individual
| candidates than in the past, rendering
it impossible to forecast the election
with any degree of certainty.
1t is considered highly probable that
| the new Pope will be man at present