West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-08-06
HOW A POPE IS CHOSEN.

painters. On the walls are work
of Signorelli, Boticoli and Peru
gino, but these are dimmed by
the splendor of the frecoe of
Michael Angelo, illustrating the
creatian of the last judgment.
Connected with the chapel,
which is on the first floor of the
vatican, are the large galleries
which are fitted up for the re-
ception of the cardinals and their
attendants and the arrangements
are such that when their emi-
nence have entered the place of
conclave the entire section of the
vatican set apart for the purpose
can be shut off entirely from the
outside world, the intention be-
ing That the members OF this ex-
allied council shall be subject to
no mundane influences.
Each cardinal is allowed the
service Of q secretary and an at
tendant who while the conclave
lasts will occupy rooms adjacent
to the particular cell allotted to
their master.
On the day fixed for the meet
ing of the conclaye the cardinals
will assemble to hear special
mass of the holy spirit and take
the oaths of faithfulness and
secrecy. When this is accom-
plished all the members of the
sacred congregations will go in
solemn procession, two by two,
and followed by the long retinue
OF attendants, to the conclave,
while the aspiring strains of the
Veni Creator Spiritus are chant
ed. Once within the confines of
the conclave the massive doors
will be shut with double locks
and from that moment until the
new pontiff is elected no person
will be permitted to pass in or
out.
When the mass has been said
and all prepared the conclave
will proceed to its solemn task.
The election of a pope is affected
by three methods-by acclama-
ton or alteration, in which is
embodied the idea of direct di-
vine inspiration; by the comprom-
Use or by vote.
Pope Leo XIII was elected on
the second day of conclave by
reclamation.
The system of voting, called
the scrutinum, is regulated by ex-
act prescription. The proceedings
are under the direction of six
cardinals, two from each order of
the bishops, priest and deacons.
Every cardinal is provided with
a voting paper, on which he
writes the name of his chosen
candidate, but not his own name.
No one is permitted to vote for
himself.
When the requisite interval
has passed each cardinal, begin
ming with the one of the most
ancient creation, leaves his staff
and advances to the high alter.
Amid q solemn hush the elector
prays for a while on the alter
steps, and then declaring aloud
that his vote is given according
to his conscience, he drops his
voting paper in the chalice. When
all have voted in like manner the
six scrutineers examine the
papers and proclaim the resul.
II no cardinal has obtained the
required number of votes--two
thirds plus one-the result is de-
clared void and the voting papers
collected together and burned
in a brazier with damp straw,
the dense smoke from which is
sues through particular chin
ney, visible from ontside and
proclaims to the outside world
that no election has taken place.
Under these circumstances on
the afternoon Of the same day
second vote takes place, supple
mentary to the first, and called
the accessit vote. In this the
procedure embodies the theory
that the cardinal who has obtain
ed the largest number of votes
in the morning IS the most ac-
ceptable to the conclave. Con
sequently his name is the only
one considered for the moment
and each cardinal votes for him
by writing the word "accedo" ON
his soheda, or voting paper, or
signifies his dissent by the words
"accedO nemi."