The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-07-23

CARDINAL oREGLlA.
ring, the sign Of papal authority, and
then formally declared Pope Leo XIII
dead. From the moment ne removed
the ring Cardinal Oreglis became the
executive officer of the Holy See and
the depositary OF Its temporal power
The condition of his holiness varied
from agony to coma, Wishing to re-
lieve him. Or. Mazzoni suggested that
morphine should he administered, but
Or. Lapponi did not agree, fearing that
the end might be Quickened.
The Supreme Moment
OF this supreme moment Or. Lapponi
gives an impressive description. He
said:
Death occurred through exhaustion,
although in the last two hours Pope
Leo made a supreme effort 10 gather
together all his energies He succeeded
IN recognizing those about him by
the sound OF their voices, as his sight
was almost entirely lost Still he
made marvellous display Of his en-
ergy. and even his death was really
grand. II was resigned, calm and Sc
rene. Very few examples can be given
of q man Of such advanced age after
80 exhaustive an illness showing such
supreme courage in dying. The pom
tiff's last breath was taken exactly at
four minute past l. ! approached a
lighted carG.e 10 his mouth three
times, acco. u4ns to the traditional GER
emonial, ard afterward declared the
pope 10 be ore. | then went 70 In
form Car Oreglia, the dean Of the
sacred CO. 'ce, who Immediately as
sumed full power and gave orders that
the Natican be cleared of all curious
7 rsons having no right 10 be therein.
-ontemporaneously the cardinal in
structed Monsignor Righi. master Of
ceremonies, TO send the Swiss Guards
from the Clementine Hall to close all
the entrances To the Vatican and dis
miss all persons from the death cham
Der. the body being entrusted 10 the
Franciscan penitertiaries."
Meantime, events OF mOmentous i'm
portance 10 Catholic Christendon were
occurring. The death OF Pope Leo
meant the passing Of thc supreme
power into the hanus Of the sacred
college OF cardinals a. It's temporary
custodian during the interregnum.
The perfect administrative machinery
of the church provided against the
slightest interruption Of the governing
authority AS the senior member Of
the sacred college Cardinal Oreglia, TO
WHOM the pope solemnly confded the
interests Of the church. has now be
come the exponent Of the cardinals
until Pope Leo's successor has been
elected This has brought forth Car
dina Oreglia a. the striking personal
ity Of the hour
The cardinal rs the exact antithesis
OF Pope Leo, having none Of the late
pontif sympathetic and benevolent
characteristics. fle comes from noble
piedmuntese stock. and his nobility is
shown II his naughty and austere bear
ing He Is not popular among his COL
leagues or the Romans, and his brusque
manner las earned MIN the title Of
The Pieduorr Bear" He is tall and
robust, aud his - years are shown by
.a- whiteness - .,s nair His face has
the tawny hue Of old parchment, and is
deeply lined Despite mis- austerlty. the
cardinals learning aud piety aIt uni
yeTsally recognized.
This is the man who for the time
being is practically pope Il was he
who issuec the orders to clear the Vat
icau from intrud.rs and brought tran
uUilhty out of tue confusion lmme-
dlately following Pope Leoe death
The greatest interest is now cen
tered In Che work OF the holy con
CLAW winch is 70 select the successor
Of -.a AL. sE...4-ayL. prophecies
aup i.l. Qic'i.- come from every ol
rer.3uu in favor Of TIC various caUl.
dates The comparatively iOng Illness
~ Leo has had the effect Of narrowiI z
the chan es OF some who entered tar
contest with what was thought 20 be
tne brightest PROSPECTS wAIte II has
brought forward the prominence Of
others who al first were hardly con
sIdered. The result is that they are
all low on about the same level II
ig said that there mas never been a
conclave IN which there are 50 many
candidates who have d fair chance Of
winning.
Now there are half dozen at least
who are entering the cOnc.aye with
equal chances OF success. IL Is be
lieyed that the foreign cardinals will
ultimately give the casting votes as
living far away from Rome, where
different factions form and flourish.