The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-23
TAKEN TO ST. PETERS.
Ceremony of Conveying the Pope's
Body from the Vatican.

Rome, July 23.-At o'clock last even
ing all was in readiness to take the
body of the pope from the Vatican to
the baSilica of St. Peters. The mourn
full procession gathered around the bier
which was gently lifted by the Sediari
who in the life of Leo had carried him
in the Sedia Gestatoria. The dead
pOntin was now clad in all the pomp OF
his holy office. About him had been
placed the sacred robes used only when
he celebrated a grand mass. The vest
ments were those which he wore for
the last time in life in the hall of the
consistory when he confirmed the ap-
pointments of ArchbishOps Farley of
New York and Quigley of Chicago, Oh
June 25 last The golden mitre, the
gilded steel the white COPE the red
chasuble, the pontifical pallium and the
papal tunic all were there. Nothing
that was emblematic of the power
welded by the dead man for more than
a quarter of a century and for cen
/ turtles by his predecessors had been
omitted Leading the procession as il
passed out of the throne room came
/ the grooms carrying lighted torches.
Behind them, walking with measured
tread, were the aged mace bearers anG
other dOmestics of the papal house
I hold. The picket of the noble guard
and all the clergy of the vatican, wear
ing their surplices, followed. Immedi-
ately in front of the bier the pontifcA
silver cross was held aloft. Behind the
bier came the three nephews of the late
pope, Counts Ricardo and Camille
Pecci and Count Canarliu. The United
states was represented in the process
sion by MonsignOr Thomas Kennedy
rector of the American college.
The air was heavy with incense from
the censors swinging constantly beside
the body. The Franciscan pOntificiar-
les still kept up the unceasing refrain
/ OF lntercession. At the hall of PalaS
franlere the cOrtege came to a stand
stlll There the cardinals, who had
took their places Immediately behind
the nephews. Their scarlet had been
put aside for the violet robes which are
only worn when princes of the church
are in mourning.
Once more the procession with the
bier, now f1anked by the Swiss guards
moved on. After the cardinals came
the whole diplomatic body accredited
70 the Vaucan and the representatives
OIL the knights of Malta. The latter
We're Followed by the marshal of the
conclaVe, Prince Chigi the master or
the holy hospice, Prince Ruspoli, and
the commander of the Noble guards
Prince Rospigliosi all in magnificent
uniforms. Then came the prelates OF
the chamber and knights OF the cape
and sword in their medieval Spanish
i ropes. The Noble and Swiss palatine
guards brought up the rear.
NO monarch was ever followed to the
toihD Dy more imposing array led by
the cardinals and prelates and clergy
leSleAHS prayers and psalms for the
dead as they slowly entered the sistine
chapel where the chapter and clergy of
81. Peters awaited the procession The
latter formally received and took pos
session of the body. The torch mace and
cross bearers started forward, giving an
opportunity to the chapter to take up
position Immediately preceding the
bier.
The final stage of bearing "the prison
er OF the vatican" to his resting place
then commenced
From the sistine chapel the procession
wound out around the loggia, immortal
lzed by Raphael, encircled the court oc
san DanasO and descended the Driva te
staircase, still chanting into the basilica.
Inc moment the flaring torches, which
sun led the cortege entered St. Peter.
the choir which was waiting there
commenced to sing in sorrowful cadence
Llbera De Domino" Monsignor Car
cam, the canon of ST. Peters, solemn.
sprlnkled holy water over Leo's bo4y
ana pronounced absolution As it was
Dorne across the Threshold the cathe-
drai choir, still singing took the lead of
the now lengthy procession. The intense
silence that prevailed was broken only
} Dy the chanting that echoed and re-
echoed from the huge dome and desert
ed aisles Of the chapels as the holy
was borne down the nave to the chapel
OF the sacrament. There candles burned
prlgnL At this chappelle ardente the
Dody was reverently stretched behind
the IRON gates and two members of the
noble guard took up position on either
side of the bier The procession then
! reformed and returned to the vatican.
leaving the body of Leo XIII in the
greatest church in the world. alone. ex-