The evening world., 1903-07-21

burn increasingly. Only the usual masses were said during the morning,
as the ceremonias in connection with the death of Pope Leo have yet to
be arranged. ...t
PREPARATIONS AT THE A
Within the right nave still another preparation for the Popes obse-
quies was going on. This was the preparation of the chapel for the
Holy Sacrament for receiving his body after its removal from the Vatican.
Cardinal Respghi, the Vicar of Rome, fld given orders for these ar
engagements.
Although Cardinal Oregha has supreme command of the interests
of the Church, it is Cardinal Respigti who has immediate charge of the
personal affairs relating to the dead Pope. Accordingly the beautiful
chapel was for the time being invaded by sweepers and cleaners. The
front of the chapelis Gu. off from the main church by a massive iron trl-
lace, through which the faithful can look upon the altar within. This is
of solid brass, with a heroic brass of kneeing angels. Before the altar
is very narrow space, where Leos coffin will be deposited when it comes
from the Vatican. This space is so small that the foot of the casket will
extend to the iron trelhce. The purpose of this arrangement is to carry
on. tie ancient ceremony by which the actual foot of the dead Pontff will
extend through the iron barriers to permit the kneeing faithful to ap-
proach and kiss the last remnant of former Papal authority through it.
This morning people: crowded about the grating and gazed at the prepar-
atoms going on within.
A MOST IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY.
The ceremony of officially ptonouncng the Pope dead was most I'M
pressive. All the cardinals in Rome, numbering ~twentynne, assembled
at the Apostolic Palace to view the remains.
Cardinal Oregia, dean of the Sacred College and Camerengo of the
Holy Roman Church, had to put aside his Cardinals robes as a sign of
deep mourning, and was gowned entirely in violet. The other Cardinals
wore crimson robes with violet collars, indicative of mourning.
Within the death chamber the body lay with a white veil over the
face on the bed, surrounded by Franciscan penheniaries, while outside the
Noble Guard maintained a 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, kneelng, silently prayed
Then the prelates "reverently looked on while Cardinal Oregla approached
the remains.
WRITE VEIL REMOVED.
The white veil was removed from the dead mans face, revealing
the cameo[ike features of the departed Pope, rendered sharper and more
transparent by death. So GfeIke was the body that those present half
expected Leo 10 raise his hand in the familiar gesture of blessing.
A moment of GREATNESS silence ensued, and then Cardinal OregHa,
taking the aspersorium, sprinked the1ate Ponif with holy water and said
in a firm voice: "Gioacchno" (he Christian name Of the deceased Holy
FaHher).
When there was no answer the same word was repeated three times
louder and louder, after which, turning to the kneelng Cardinals, the
Camerlengo soernly announced: Papa we're mortuus eSt' 1.-THE Pope is
really dead).
AS the words were uttered there arose from the kneelng Cardinals a
sigh like that of the wind in the trees at night, a tribute paid to the late
Ponthf by these prncey heads of the Church.
After this, in voices trembling with emotion, the ranking Cardinals
reched the De Profundis, gave absoluion and sprnkled the body with
holy water. .Nh
RIM FOR VEN POPE.
Following the ceremony of the recognition of the death of the Pope
by the Sacred College came another, shorter, but no less significant and
symbolic. On Leos finger was the famous Fishernans Ring, which the
Camerlengo, with a whispered prayer, drew gently off, and which later
will be broken in the presence of the Cardinals, reset and presented to the
new Ftpe when lie is elected.
The ring is of very great antiquity. It's even said to have belonged
to st. Peter himself. It is a stone of little value, cut with the scene Of 81;
Peter drawing in fishing nets. 1t was first used abouithe year 1905, but
for secret documents It was only used later. Officially It isfone Of the
symbols of office most priced by the church Although losttwo or three
times 1t has always been recovered.