The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-06
METHOD OF PROCEDURE
AFTER DEATH OF POPE
Ceremony Observed at Vatican When
Throne of St. Peter Is Vacant.


chuEches in Rome. At st. Peters It Is
exposed on the high altar. covered with
cloth Of white lawn. which is only
removed on the death Of the Pope
Meanwhile summonses were sent by
telegraph to the foreign or absent car
dinals. and those in Rome were callsa
10 the Vatican.
On the death occurring the first step
taken is the official verifeetion that the
Vicar Of Christ is no more. This act.
which is performed with a certain pre-
scribed ceremony, devolves upon ths
Cardinal Camerlingo (chamberlain). to
whom. on the demise of the Holy Father,
the supreme authority for the time BE-
ing is committed
Test of Death.
Attired in full canonicals. his emf
nence. attended by the cardinals. pre-
lates and laymen Of high rank at the
Papal court, proceeds to the chamber OF
death Knocking at the door with 4
wand Of silver, the Cardinal CamerIingo
enters the room, and advancing to the
couch On which lies the dead figure Of
the Pope. touches the breast and fore
head and then, sinking on his knees,
proclaims in loud voice: ''Dominls
Papa Noster Mortuus est"
The Fisherman's Ring and the other
Papal seals are then handed 10 the Car
dinal Camerlingo. together with a docu-
ment formally attesting the death OF the
Pope. As soon as this ceremony Is &C
81 ge
attired in the Pontiheial yestments. az
preliminary to the public exposition
OF the remains in ST. Peters.
The body, which is committed TO the
charge of the Papal chamberlains, Is
first Of all taken to the Sistine Chapel,
and thence by a covered way TO the great
Basilica, where it lies in state for three
days in the chapel OF the Holy Sacra-
ment. reposing on a richly draped couch.
Body Watched by Noble Guard.
Four members OF the Noble Guard
watch over the body day and night with
drawn swords The body is so exposed
that the faithful in dehling past can kiss
the feet of the dead Pontin.
Meanwhile every church in Rome is
draped in mourning. and masses for the
repose Of the soul Of the departed, to-
gether with the especial prayer for the
guidance of the church and OF the new
Pope, are said constantly.
During this time the arrangements for
the holding of the conclave are being
perfected. The ten Sacred Congregations
meet on the third day from the Pope's
II, 81 oil - ~ ha-
appoint three members of their body. a
cardinal bishop, cardinal priest, and a
cardinal deacon, TO form with the Car
dinal Camerlingo the temporary state
executive.
On the first meeting of the cardinals
the Cardinal CamerlingO reads the pa
pal bulls touching on the election OF a
Pope. and then, in the presence OF
all, breaks the Fisherman's Ring and
signets OF the deceased Pontif-
Cardinals in Conclave.
On the eleventh day following the
death OF the Pope the cardinals hold
services IN the Church OF St.
Peter in Rome, and then adjourn to the
Vatican. where they meet in conelave
10 elect the late Pope's successor The
cardinal-dean opens the proceedings by
the oath of secrecy con-
corning their proceedings. and then the
cardinals are permitted to receive their
friends until evening. when they are shut
up in their cells. These cells are care
fully guarded, and no person is allowed
near them. except they be on business
directly with the conclave. in
order that no intruder may communi-
cate with the occupants or obtain in
formation which might be Of value 70
the outside world or TO persons interest
ed in swaying the action Of the cardi-
nails
The cardinals, however, are not per-
mitted 10 suffer for lack OF comforts
while IN their cells. They are allowed
two servants each 10 attend 10 all their
wants, and are served with such food
as they desire. Their meals are passed
into the place in hampers, but even
these are searched at the entrance to
make sure that nothing OF contraband
character is Struggled in. Besides the
servants, four BARRIERS. two sacristans,
two masters of ceremO.je<, 4 carpenter,
a mason and several other persons are
permitted TO remain in the household.
Mass of the Holy Ghost.
III LIE A4lS AlAt lQAAdl-uEdu Sl1ES
the mass Of the Hol~ Ghost. at which
all the cardinals receive communion, af-
ter which the voting begins. Each cardf-
nal approaches the altar, and. after
taking an oath prescribed for the cere-
nony, places his ballot in a receptacle
for 1t. Three cardinals who
act as tellers count the ballots when ali
have been deposited. A twO-thirds vote
IS necessary to elect the Pope, and. II
q choice is not made on the first ballot
the cardinals continue 70 vote until q
candidate receives the requisite number
but only one ballot is taken in one day
Upon the announcement that no candi-
date has been elected the cardinals re-
turn to their cells until the following
when another ballot is taken
Thus the election may be prolonged
many days or it may be decided in q
single sitting.
When it is found that an election has
been obtained the cardinal-deacOn an
nOunces the name OF the successful
the junior cardinal-deacon
rings bell. and the master OF eere-
monies enters the chapel with the sec