Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-22
AI IHE BIER Of LEO.
Diplomats Accredited to the
Vatican View Remains of
the Dead Pontiff
FIRST OF FUNERAL CEREMONIES
Body Of the Late Pope Now Rests in
the Throne Room of the Vatican
Lapponi Makes Report to oresia on
the Autopsy and Embalmins of the
Pope.

Pope.
Rome, July 22.-The first of the great
ceremonies Of Pope Leo's funeral COM
menced today, when the body lay IN
state in the throne room OF the vatican
from $3.50 a. m., until p. m. All Dip
lomats accredited to the vatican, ROM
an princes. dukes, barons, and other
representatives of ancient families re-
manning faithful to the papacy, all of
the high dignitaries of the church,
archbishops, bishops, patriarchs, and
heads of religious orders, passed in SOL
ann procession before the bier of the
late pontiff. The papal throne had been
removed and in its place under the
famous red siIken canopy, on small
bed. lay the body of Leo Kill over
the bed. was thrown red damask
covering, on which the body reposed,
robed in white vestments. with the red
rochet and camauro hood, and on the
feet slippers embroidered with gold.
The thin hands, clasped over the
chest, held tightly small ivory cruci-
fix. Around this was entwined a ros-
ary Of mother of pearl, set In gold. On
the third finger of the right hand a
huge emerald pontif1cal ring sparkled.
In striking contrast with the ghastly
face was the purple hood, drawn down
over the head almost to the eyebrows,
and over the ears. The sunken cheeks
and jaws brought the nose and chin
nearly together on the mouth, which
was reduced to nothing, although no
signs of agony were visible. It was the
corpse of man who n.ight have been
dead fifty years.
On the other side, near the shoulders,
stood the members Of the noble guard,
erect and notionless. lonly faint quIv-
er of their drawn swords giving any
indications that they We're not mere
statutes. The ordeal of the soldiers in
the heated chamber is so intense they
have to be constantly relieved.
At the corners of the bed stood light
ed candles. ten feet high. On the right
of the body, close to the bed, was
small table covered with a white linen
cloth on which stood two candles, throw
ing a glimmer OF light on the cruci-
AK between them. At the foot of the
cross was q crystal bowl, filed With
holy water from which each cardinal,
whenever he passed the body. sprinkied
1t and uttered benediction. Beside
him were the devotion books used by
Pope Leo in life time. The silence was
only broken by the>solemn chantingfo
To-. YS,>ovS al
kneeling or standing, at a bench at the
foot of the bier, continued incessant
supplication. To the left and right on
the walls two great gold and marble
brackets, supported many branches OF
candelabra, but they were not lighted.
nor were the lamps on the marble coli
nmns at each corner Of the throne
room. The only light thrown on this
solemn scene came from candles be-
side the body, and from the faint rays
OF sunlight which filtered thru the two
windows, curtained with white silk and
rich green hangings. The red damask
tapestries. with which the room was
hung, gave touch of royal splendor
to the surroundings. Otherwise 1t was
a most simple scene for the death rites
OF pope. No carpet was on the marble
dloor. not a flower will be seen, accord
ing to the strict ritual of the last hon-
prs of the church to the pontiff. AS
each lay or clerical dignitary entered
the throne room. he advanced to the
side of the dead and took last look
at the body, then withdrew. Some
kneIt in momentary prayer and crossed
themselves.
Outside the throne room the long
corridors of the vatican presented a
brilliant spectacle. At the entrance of
the court of st. Damasco, the pontifi-
cal gendarmes were drawn up and rem
Hered military honors as each carriage
drove in. The diplomats wore the full
uniform OF princes and others were
dressed in deep black.
From st. Damasco court, they passed
up the marble staircase into Clermen-
4ino Hall, where the Swiss guard was
arranged in double columns on either
side. Next they entered the hall of
PaIafremieri, where twenty-five grooms
an red livery led the way to the hall
of the Swiss, where a company of gem
darmes, wearing heavy black chapeaus,
skin tight white trousers and heavy
cavalry boots stood guard at the thres-
hold of the chamber containing a
platoon Of the palatine guard. Further
along they passed thru the hall of and
chapel of the pope The noble guard
In full scarlet uniforms. glittering
brass helmets and silver sashes, the
latter covered with crepe, kept the last
watch at the door of the department
of their dead master. Outside the
vatican, an interested crowd including
a number of Italian soldiers, watched
the coming and going of the privileged
1nourners.
At 5 o'clock this afternoon the doors
of the throne room was closed and
Franciscan penitentiaries assisted by
attendants ef the late pontiff began
dressing the body in full pontifical
robes. At eight the procession formed
and the body was taken to st. Peters.
The Conolave.
In the meanwhile the congregation of
cardinals met in the hall of the con-
sistory, under the presidency of Car
dinal Oreglia. 1t was determined to
arrange for the accommodation of the
cardinals during their enforced Sc
clusion at the conclave. in exactly the
same manner as when Pope Leo was
elected. Manager Merry Del Val today
took up the duties of secretary Of the
nansistorial congregation.