The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-27
ENTOMBING CT LEO.
Remains of the Late Pope Are
Finally Laid to Rest.

fF44AC41 ICoOuLQC0 lAAlOuSn Tue immense
drome of the cathedral announced to
the earnest gathering in the nave that
Leo XIII had been laid to rest At
sundoWn the most important and most
solemn of all the obSequies took place.
The front doors of the hasilica were
closed and the vast church, except for
row of lights at the shrine of St. Peter
the candles about the bier and those
persons who had quietly and with the
utmost reverence gathered there, APP
peared deserted.
About 1000 persons had received invi-
tations to attend the ceremonies. The
cardinals, who met earlier in the Vati-
can, entered the chapel choir, waiting
there for the arrival of the procession,
Cardinal Oreglia, the camerlengo, hold
ing the keys of command. Through
special permission, a representative of
the Associated Press was allowed to en-
ter the chapel of the sacrament before
the remains of the dead pontiff were re-
moved.
Cardinal Rampolla, as arch priest of
the basilica, was waiting outside the
gates in violet robes, surrounded by the
chapter of the cathedral, which was led
by Monsignor Cepetelli, who conducted
the service. Drs. Lapponi and MaZzoni
directed the work of the removal of the
bier, which was executed by eight Sc
diari or pope'S carriers, attired in their
brilliant red robe costumes. At first
they tried to raise the bier, but, finding
it too heavy, they slowly slid it onto a
low car with noiseless wheels.
Then, to the strains of the ''MiSerere,'
which walled through the lofty church.
and preceded by a glittering 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 of ST. Pc
ter.
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 emi-obscurity. flashing into the
brilliancy of the suddenly turned on
electric light. Here all those who had
received invitations were stopped, re-
manning 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 halberdS ana
serpentine swords. Within the chapel
was Count Camille Pecci. nephew of
the late pope, wearing the red uniform
of a general of the castle guard.
In the chapel, the music changed to
notes of joy and triumph and IN Para
disum' rang out with telling effect.
From the outside to the nve PENS OF q.
Peters rang their accustomed salute to
the coming night mingling harmonious
~ with the music of the choir.
The scene in the chapel was most re-
markedly effective. The bier bearing
the body was received by Cardinal
Oreglfa. 1t was placed in the center,
backed by an altar with a beautiful i'm
age of the Madonna, before which were
burning four immense candles in silver
staffs Around the two sides OF the
chapel. in the choir seats, were thirty
six cardinals, all wearing violet robes
except Cardinals Cote and Perlotu,
who wore the white mantles OF their
orders; Cardinal Martinelh as an Au-
ri Cardinal Wives TIIt0 in
Franciscan brown.
The body was sprinkled, with holy
water. absolution was given and the
foot of Leo XIII was kissed for the
Master of the Chamber Bisletti ana
Count Camille Pecci.
The major domo then covered the
venerable features and hands with a
Over this the project of ceremonies
spread a large silk veil, which covered
the whole person.
Fire was lighted in a brazier and
blown by a bellows, the sparks rising
almost to the ceiling, while MonsignoN
Bartolini read for twenty minutes the
orato brevis, eulogizing the dead pom
tiff, and Notary Poponi, "a years OLD,
read out the burial record, service
which he performed upon the occasion
of the deaths of Pope Gregory XVI and
Pope Plus TX.
The rnonsignors of the basilica, aided
by the noble guard, then laid all that
was mortal of Leo XIII in cypress
coffin lined with red satin and bearing
on the cover an inlaid cross the entire
sacred college and Prince Colonna ris-
ing to their feet as last tribute and
sign of respect
When the body had been carefully
put in the coffin it was entirely con-
cealed with the red velvet covering
which before had been on the bier. The
major domo put beside the body two
silk purses containing coins of silver
and a bronze medal struck during
Leo's pontificate. An eulogy, written
in magnificent Latin and setting forth
the great events of Pope Leo's life and
reign. inclosed in a metal tube. was
also Inferred with the body.
When all had been arranged the su-
preme prayer was said and the last
benediction given. all present Joined in.
Half suppressed sobs were heard on all
sides.
The second coffin was of lead and very
heavy On the cover at the head was
cross, just below which was skull and
crossed bones, while below these were
the arms of the late pope, with the
they signify living victory. At the bot
tom was a plate bearing the following
inscription:
Corpus Leoni P. NJ. Vixit An
xCIIiMIyD. XVIII. Eccles Univers
Prefuit An XIV. Mensis 5. Obiit Die
Xxx Julii An MCMIII
This coffin was sealed personally with
the arms of the camerlengo. The major
domo of the chapter of the basilica
lighted a brazier. which was used in
soldering the coffin. producing sounds
and sights strange to hear and see in
church.
The two collins were closed in a third
casket of polished walnut without deco
rations.
When the last supreme moment came
the heavy collins. weighing 1922 pounds,
were rolled out of the chapel, preceded
by mace bearers and choir singing as
they went and followed by all the car
dinals, among whom the bowed figure
of OregIia, the strong, upright Van
Nutteli brothers. the white haired
Agliardi and the immense black browed
Svampa were the most conspicuous.
Pulleys were attached to the coffin
and soon, to the strains of the .Bene-
dictus Dominis Deus israeli it was