Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-07-25
HOW A POPE is ELECTED.
9 -iisgs ssf Cardinals Cast two sserst
Ballots each lay.

Ballots Each lay.
Tne selection and browning Of pope
Is very ceremonious affair, and an
event that concerns the Catholic church
throughout the world. From the mo-
ment pope dies until his successor IL
crowned the vatican may be said to be
in Estate of fervid excitement
on the death Of pope 1t is the duty
OF the cardinal camerlingo TO formally
ascertain that fact. He does so by
knocking thrice at the door of the pope's
bedchamber, Getting no answer. he en-
ters, and taps thrice with silver mali
let on the dead mans forehead, and
thrice calls him by name. No response
coming. the camerlingo declares to the
world that the pope is dead.
The body Is then embalmed and after
mass has been said over it in the pres
ence. OF the cardinals ii Is removed to
Sc. Peters, where II lies In state for
nine days, when the funeral proper
takes place. The next step is the Sc
lection of new pope. lie Is chosen by
tho conclave. body or committee COM
posed OF cardinals and other high
church dignities.
They occupy special quarters In the
vatican, isolated from the rest OF the
building and from the outer world by
the walling up OF every door and win
dow and aperture. Each cardinal has
separate room, which Is drawn by lot.
with their servants they muster about
200 souls. All these men are sworn to
secrecy While the gathering lasts they
are forbidden all intercourse with the
outside world. They even cook their
own food In common kitchen.
One of the first duties Is to choose
three scrutators 10 count the ballots.
The canons really define three kinds OF
election--by inspiration. by compro-
mise and by ballot. Election BY in
suiration takes place when "all the car
dinals, as II by the inspiration OF the
Holy Ghost. proclaim one candidate"
Az they never do this. the pope 10 always
chosen by ballot or vote.
The ballots. when open. are about four
Inches long and three inches broad. In
the first or upper section the cardinal
writes his name; in the middle, the name
OF the candidate whom he proposes; In
the lower section. some motto from tho
Scriptures. Two ballots are taken
daily in the morning and afternoon
until some candidate receives the requi-
site two-thirds vote OF the members
present. The duration of the conclave
depends on many OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
sonal ambition, political intrigues and
lactional jealousies. That Of 1900 last
ed 104 days; that Of 1878. when Leo was
selected, only three days.
The moment the decision is declared
the lucky cardinal dons the papal robes,
the masons tear down the plaster wall
before one OF the balconies from which
the cardinal dean proclaims the selsc-
ton to the expectant throng beneath.
Then comes the coronation cere-
mony. 1t takes place In the morning,
commencing with a procession, headed
by the Swiss guards, and ending by
the new pope. wearing golden mitre.
carried aloft on the sedia gestatoria,
with silver damask canopy borne
above his head, flanked by the habelli
1.-THE great fans of ostrich and peacock
feathers). the whole surrounded by mo-
bic guards with drawn swords.
AS the pope enters st. Peters, or the
Chapel Sistine, in the vatican, whore
the coronation takes place. as ire choice
remains with the pope. be IL stopped
three times by one Of the clerks OF
the chapel, who, Fneeline. sets hre
TO some fax on the point OF three
pronged stick, exclaiming. In loud and
mournful voice: Holy father. thus
passes away the glory OF the world
Having descended from the sedia pes-
tatoria, the pope proceeds TO the altar,
and. after a brief prayer, commences the
introIt OF the mass. which, on this oc-
sasion. is celebrated by himself. At
The end of the confession he takes his
ylace on the throne on the left SIDE
of the altar, while the first carldnaI
bishop recites the three customary
prayers over him Then the pope re-
turns to the altar, kneels on the step.
and while the first cardinal deacon re-
moves his gold mitre, the second CAROL
nal deacon invests him with the ponti-
fical pallium.
Inc most interesting pal = VI Nh0 "no'o
proceedings. probably, is the placing OF
the tiara upon the pope's bead by the
first cardinal deacon. II weighs three
pounds. and is adorned with no fewer
than 10000 precious stones, Of which
49, 900 are diamonds.
AS the deacon places the crown upon
the supreme pontiffs head, he exclaims
Take this tiara. adorned with three
crowns. and know that thou art the fla
Their Of all princes and soyereiens, the
ruler of the globe. and on earth the vice
regent OF our Saviour. Jesus Christ, to
whom all honor and glory for ever and
ever, amen" The pope then rises. and,
wearing the tiara, delivers benedic-
ton, which completes the ceremony OF
coronation.