Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1903-07-25
MOURNING IN ROME.
Four Hundred Church Bells Toll
for the Dead Pope.
All the Cardinals Visited the Death Cham
Der and Pronounced the Pontiff Dead
Famous Fisherman's Ring
Removed.

Rome, July 22.-Tuesday morning
began the first Of those grandiose and
unique ceremonies which follow the
demise of a pope, and, although pri-
vate, 1t was conducted with great pomp
and was most impressive. All the car
dinals present in Rome, numbering 20.
assembled at the apostolic palace to
view the remains of the late Leo XIII.
and to officially pronounce him dead.
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.
The white veil was then removed
from the dead mans face, revealing the
cameo-like features of the departed
pope, rendered sharper and more
transparent by death. So lifelike was
the body that those present half ex-
pected Leo to raise his hand in the
familiar gesture Of blessing. A mo
ment of breathless silence ensued and
then the cardinal camerlengo, taking
the aspersorium. sprinllled the late
pontiff with holy water and said in
firm voice: "Gioacchino" (the Chris
tian 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 kneeling cardinals, the camerlengo
solemnly announced: Papa we're NOR.
tuus est" 1.-THE pope is really dead.")
AS the words were uttered there
arose from the kneeling cardinals a
sigh, tribute paid to the late pontif
by these princely heads OF the church.
After this, in voices trembling with
emotion, the ranking cardinals recited
the de profundis, gave absolution and
sprinkled the body with holy water.
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
symbolic. On Leo's finger was the ia
nous Fisherman's ring. which the
camerlengo, with a whispered prayer,
drew gently off and which, later, will
be broken in the presence OF the car
dinals, reset and presented to the new
pope when he is elected. The ring Is
of very great antiquity. 1t is even said
to have belonged to st. Peter himself.
It is a stone of little value, cut with
the scene of st. Peter drawing in fish
ing nets. 1t was first used about the
year 1865, but for secret documents 1t
was only used later. Officially 1t Is one
of the symbols of Office, most priced
by the church. Although lost two or
three times, it has always been recov-
cred.
The quiet of the evening was broken
by chorus such as the world has sell
dom heard. On the stroke of eight
all of Rome's 400 churches commenced
to toll bells for the passing of the soul
of Leo XIII. From the seven hills and
from every quarter Of the city which
contained churches came the constant
clang until all were as one vast rever-
beration. The harsh Jingle Of the
smaller chapel bells striking quickly
and more often was not drowned by
the solemn strokes that came In
mourning measure from the great dome
of st. Peters. 1t was as II a great fire
ragged and every bell in Rome were
wing with every other in anxiety to
warn the populace. Except in this
common motive and common sorrow 1t
was an amazing discord, which con-
tinued an hour, and which will recur
nightly until the obsequies are over.
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