The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-28
Consigned to the Sarcopha-
gus With Imposing Cere-
monies,
THE LAST KISS Is GIVEN
While Music Walls and Prayers Ascend The
Coffin is Sealed and the Remains Con-
signed to the Sarcophagus---
Loss of the Pope's Ring.
(By the Associated Press


was inferred in St. Peters tonight. The
stroke of the hammer which resounded
through the immense dome of the cathe-
dral announced the earnest gathering
to rest. At shutdown the most important
and most solemn of all the bsequeies took
place. The front doors of the basilica were
closed and the vast church, except for a
row of lights at the shrine of ST. Peters,
the candles about the bier and those per-
sons who had quietly and with the ut
most reverence gathered there, appeared
| deserted.
| About 900 persons had received invita-
tions to attend the ceremonies. The car
dinals, who met earlier in the Vatican en-
tered the chapel choir waiting there for
the arrival of the procession, Cardinal
Oregla, the Camerlengo, holding the keys
OF command.
Through special permission a represen-
tative of the Associated Press was allowed
to enter the Chapel of the Sacrament be-
fore the remains of the dead Pontiff were
removed.
Cardinal Rampolla as priest OF the
basilica, was waiting outside the gates,
in violet robes, surrounded by the chap
ter of &c cathedral which was led by
Mgr. Ceppetelli, who conducted the SER
vice.
Doctors Lapponi and Mazzoni directed
the removal of the bier which was exc
cuted by eight sediari, or Popes carriers,
attired in their brilliant red brocadc cos
| TUNES. They at first tried TO raise the
bier, but finding it too heavy, they slowly
sid it onto low car with noiseless
| wheels.
Then to the strains of the "Mlserere,' -
which walled through the lofty church,
and preceded by a glltterlng cross held
aloft, the procession, carrying candles and
torches, slowly left the chapel and went
up the church, passing the bronze statue
and beyond the shrine % St. Peter. Those
gathered fell to their knees.
After slow progress around the church
the sad cortege arrived at the chapel
| choir, the bier being so carried that the
dead Pope entered head first, according
to the ceremonial, the chapel from semi
cbscurity flashing into the brilliancy of the
suddenly turned on electric light. Here
all those who had received invitations
were stopped, remaining in the main part
| Of the basilica behind a double line OF the
Swiss Guards, in their peculiar yellow, red
and black uniforms, and armed with hal
herds and sepentine swords. Within the
chapel was Count Camille Pecci, q ne
phew of the Pope, wearing the red uni
form of a general of the Noble Guard.
In the chapel the music changed tc
notes of joy and triumph and In Para
disium rang out with telling effect. From
the outside the five bells Of st. Peters
rang their accustomed salute to the COM
ing night, mingling tremendously will
the music of the choir
The scene in the chapel was most re
markedly effective. The bier bearing tho
body was raised by Cardinal Oreglla. II
was placed in the centre backed by ar
altar with a beautiful image of the Ma
donna, before which were burning foui
immense candles in silver stats.
Around the two sides of the chapel IT
the choir seats were thirty-six Cardinals
all wearing violet robes, except cardinals
Gotti and Pierrotti, who wore the white
nantes of their orders; Cardinal Mar
tinelli in black, as an Augustinian, and
} Cardinal Wives Tuto, in FRANCISCAN
brown.
The body was sprinkled with holy water
absolution was given and the loot Oh Lee
XIII was kissed for the last time by
Majordomo Cagiano, Master OF the Cham
Der Biseti and Count Camille Peccl
The majordomo then covered the ven
cradle features and hands with Wf'ite
silk veil bordered with gold. over TINS
the project of ceremonies spread iargei
silk veil. which covered the whole person
Fire was lighted in a brazler ana ploWf
by bellows. the sparks rising almost tc
the ceiling, while Monsignor Bartollnl reae
for twenty minutes the oratlo prevls' Gu
logizing the dead Pontlff, ana Noear;
Poponi. "a years old read out the burla
record. a service which he performed upor
the occasion of the deaths of Pope Greg
ory XVI and Pope Plus TX. The Monsg
nors of the Basilica aided by the NOBLE
Guard. then laid all that was mortal o.
Leo XIII in a cypress coffin Ined VIII
red satin and hearing on the cover an IN
, laid cross, the entire Sacred College anc
Prince Colonna rising to their leeI DIS
last tribute and sign of respect
When the body had been carefully pu'
in the coffin it was entirely concealed VIII
the red velvet covering. which before hat
been on the bier.
When all had been arranged the SUI
IRENE PRAYER was said and the last oene
diction given, all present joining. han
suppressed sobs were heard on all sides
The sad duties of sealing of the coillnS
were softened and soothed by ,he Sweet
ness of the singing choir and the prayers
OF the clergy.
When the last supreme moment c" nn'
the heavy coffns, weighing IN an i''9-
Y pounds, We're rolled out oil the chapei pr
+ ceded by mace bearers singing % '"'
: went and followed by the cardinals, aihohs
s whom the bowed figure OF ofesh"' .,'N
1 strong. upright Vannutelll Drothels' si'
0 whitehaired Agliardi and inc ilnl'-o lls'
Y black-browed Svampa were the iio1'
e splcuous pulleys were attacheu ~ 'nr
: fin and soon 70 The strains of the 'Bene-
t dictus Domnns Deus Israel it was holstet
. into the stone sarcophagus above the dooi
whore = ,,;ll ron,a;r until the grateful