Evening journal., 1903-07-23
PUBLIC VIEW
PONT|FF'S BODY
Continued from First Page)

clergy recited prayers and psalms for
the dead as they slowly entered the
Sistine chapel, where the chapter and
clergy of St. Peters awaited the pro-
cession. The latter formally received
and took possession of the body. The
torch, mace and cross bearers started
forward, giving al opportunity TO the
chapter to take up position imme-
diately preceding the bier.
The final stage Of bearing "tle pris-
oner of the Vatican" to his resting
place then commenced.
The moment the fiaring torches,
which still led the cortege, entered
st. Peters, the choir, which was wait
ing there, commenced to sing in sor-
rOwful cadence "Libera me Domino"
Monsignor Carcani. the canon OF ST.
Peters, solemnly sprinkled holy water
over Leo's body and pronounced abso-
luton. As 1t was borne across the
threshold the cathedral choir, still
singing, took the lead OF the now
lengthy procession. The intense silence
which prevailed was broken only by
the chantings which echoed and re-
echoed from the huge dome and de-
serted aisles of the chapels as the body
was borne down the nave to the chapel
OF the Sacrament. There candles burned
brightly. In this chapelle ardente the
body was reverently stretched behind
the iron gates, and two members of the
noble guard took up positions on either
side of the bier.
The procession then reformed and
returned to the Vatican, leaving the
body Of Leo XIIIin the greatest church
in the world, alone except for the faith
full guard and penitentiaries whose
prayers could be heard in the imme-
diate vicinity of the chapel of the
Sacrament Throughout the remainder
OF the vast basilica silence reigned.
The body Of the dead pope rests on
the high catafalque with his slippered
feet protruding through the gates TO
be kissed by the faithful. who we're ad-
mitted to the chapel today and the two
following days.
While the remains Of the pope were
bIAnE AdAAAt lAAO 81 ItAtI - llt UTl-
vate ceremony Of depositing the urn
containing is viscera in the church
of SITS. Vincent and Anastasius was
taking place. A curious hitch occurred
when the solemn procession arrived at
the door of the special depository in
the crypt Il was stopped. as the key
was r2t to be found The attendants
hunted high and low and finally we're
Obliged TO break down the door. The
depository had not been opened since
1s45, as. contrary to custom, the Wis
cera of Plus TX. are at St. Peters The
rector of the church of SITS. Vincent
and Anastasius will ask that the Wis
cera OF Plus TX be transferred to his
church also. in order to make the Sc
quence complete.
The will of the pope is still un.
opened as proved by the fact that his
apartment is sealed. Otherwise the
objects there would have been distrib-
uted in accordance with the instruc-
tions left by him. Leo's intimates say,
however, they know that the testament
begins with advice about religion and
morals, and that It declares his firm
intention to leave all he possessed to
the church, including presents which
might appear to be personal property,
on the ground that no one could claim
anything he had during life. as he had
generously provided for those bound to
him by ties of blood and affection. The
report published in the United States
on the authority of the Tribuna here
to the effect that the will had been
opened by Cardinal Oreglia and that
it showed the pope had left private
fortune Of $15,OOO,OOO was premature
and was retracted in later edition oi
the Tribuna itself.
At the last session of the congrega'
ton. when Cardinal Oreglia asked 4
the conclave would be held at Rome
it is reported that only Cardinals Mar
tinelli and Steinhulser objected on th'
ground of possible influence of thu
Italian government Cardinal Oreglia
who himself at the time of the deatl
of Plus TX. had favored a proposition
to hold the cOnclave outside of Italy
declared that interference by the Ital
ian government was impossible. ant
the proposition to hold the conclave a
Rome was carried unanimously. Thl
congregation decided that all partici
pating in The conclave should not b.
allowed to hold communication of an!
kind with the outside world.
Preparations for the conclave havl
already begun in the Sistine chapel
Will Build Nine Houses.