The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-07-24

pope IS really dead.)
Following the ceremony Of the recog-
milton of the death of the pope by the
! sacred college came another, shorter
! but no less significant and symbolic
On Leo's finger was the famous fisher
mans ring. which the camerlengo,
with a whispered prayer. drew gently
off and which, later, Will be broker in
the presence Of the cardinals. reset
! n presented to the new pope when
he is elected.
| The cardinals present IN Rome met
this morning, under Cardinal Oreglia
IN a preparatory congregation, held in
the hall of the consistory. Oreglla
communicated to them the first in
structionS he has given since the death
Of the pope. informing them Of the
numerous messages of coincidence re-
ceived from all parts of the world
and OF the universal mourning for Leo
Kill An exchange of ideas took place
regarding the ceremonies proceeding
the Conclave.
Through the night and early morning
many simple emblems of grief had
been displayed. but the main thor
oughfares did not present a spectacle
OF universal mourning. No flags were
half masted and no buildings were
shrouded in Grape. as when temporal
rulers pass awav.
Entering the borgo district, leading
20 the vatican, the hum of excitement
attending the event was more appa
rem a steady line of carriages bear
ing cardinals. other church d~ignitaries
n diplomats following through the
! narrow iare. called h VIA borgo.
leading to the piazza of st. Peters.
Along the way many shops were clos
ed and the streets were filled with a
molly Roman thrOng. DR.. Mazzonl
was recognized among them coming
from the vatican in a chance cab. He
looked pale n faded after his weeks
OF work with DR.. Lapponi at Pope
/ Leo's bedside.
Coming now to the piazza Of st.
Peters a scene of vital interest began
to unfold itself. The vast eXpanse
enclosed within the state colorado
looked majestic in its serenity. Look
ing up at the window before which
Lee XIII. used to sit, the blinds could
be seen half closed. admitting a mar
row slant Of sun to the death chamber.
The official presence of the Italian
soldiery was kent noticeably in the
background.
Inside the magnificent church of ST.
Peter could be heard the sound of the
chisel and hammer. already preparing
/ Leo's tomb.
TIE resting place for the casket is a
marble slab about fifteen feet above
the pavement forming the upper case
ment. of n of the massive doors. On
either side are great marble cupids,
while the light comes dlmly from
above through two dOmes surrounded
by exquisite Mosaics. one showing the
apostles and saint, and the other an
angelic chorus. The workmen pounded
and called out their commands. in
strong contrast with the solemn sur
! -eundings.
Although Cardinal Oreglia has SUI
Dreme command of the interests of the
church. it is Cardinal Respighi who
has been given immediate charge of
the personal affairs relating to the
dead pope. Accordingly the beautiful
chapel of the holy sacrament was for
the time being involved by sweepers
II cleaners, who poured buckets Of
water on the Mosaic pavement and
then began securing it with pomice
stone. The front of the chapel is cut
off from the main church by a massive
iron t~rellace through which the faith
full can look upon the altar within.
Before the altar is a very narrow
space. where LeO's coffin will be de-
posted when it comes from the vati-
cam. This space is so small that the
foot of the casket will extend to the
iron terrace. The purpose of this ar
rangement Is to carry out the ancient
ceremony by which the actual foot of
the dead pontiff will extend through
the iron barriers to permit the kneeling
faithful to approach and kiss the last
remnant of papal authority through it.
L lis AAA'AA AAAS INV AVI DoO
the grating and gaZed at the repara-
ton going on within.
THE MEETING OF CONCLAVE.
Rome. July 21-AccOrding to a state
ment coming from a high e~cclesiastic,
arrangements at the vatican are being
pressed forward which will enable the
cOnclave OF cardinals to begin sitting
August 1. However, 1t is now thought
the sessions may last considerably
- -h,- - ar-+ x----41 o,,@, l---
enough to permit Cardinal Moran, of
sydney. New South Wales, to arrive
In time to take part in the proceedings.
An ambassador accredited to the
vatican say the question of Pape
Leo's successor is a peculiarly open
one at the present moment. The per-
~sOnality of the candidates plays a
much more important part than in any
preceding conclave, since the condI-
lions prevailing in the part are now
entirely changed as a result of which
the approaching conclave will be much
more under the influence OF Individual
candidates than in the past. render
ing it impossible to forecast the cleo
ton with any degree of certainty. 1t
is considered highly probable that the
new pop will be a man at present not
thought of and not talked about.
DEATH MASK TAKEN.
Rome, July 21.-A death mask of
Leo XIII. was taken today by Com
mendator CALI director of the vatican
museum. The delicate work was sue
cessfully executed and the result is
considered highly satisfactory.
For some time it was thought that
no death mask would be taken. but
the great sorrow expressed over the
first decision not to have such a pre-
ciOus momento of such a noble man
Influenced the family of the pope to
~sreconsider and change their earlier
decision.
The will of Leo Nil. has not yet
been opened. Consequently all alleged
news concerning it and the millions he
is said to have left 10 the church is
merely ina oinarN.