The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-29
MASS FOR
DEAD POPE
sistine Chapel Scene Of I'm
presslve Ceremony.
A BLENDING OF coLoRs
4 BLENDING OF CoLoRS
Brilliant Uniforms Of Diplomats in Wv
i'd Contrast to Simple Evening
Dress Of the Roman Princes,
Splendid Music Rendered.
nv Associated Press.l

ROME. July 2s-The first Of the three
great requiem masses under the auspices
of the Sacred College for the repose OF
the soul Of Pope Leo XIII. was cele-
brated this morning in the Sistine Chapel.
All the cardinals now in Rome, the diplo-
matte corps, the Roman nobility ana
many other distinguished persons were
present. The intermingled uniforms Oh
France, Russia, Prussia, Austria, Spain,
Belgium. Portugal. Brazil, Chill. Colom-
bia, Guatemala and Bavaria formed
vivid contrast with the simple evening
dress Of the Roman princes and crepe
wells and black dresses of the princesses,
who sat directly across the aisles.
In the gallery on the left were about n
hundred ladies', all in deep black. In
the right gallery were the special mis-
sons. among Them being Sir Thomas Es'
monde and Captain Donelan, representing
the Irish Parliament party. Beneath the
gallarles the priests and laymen. who had
been fortunate enough to secure tickets,
but who were not distinguished enough
for special places. We're packed IN dim
seclusion Swiss and noble guards, cham-
berains and other Vatican officials lined
the aisle. Michael Angeles frescoes on
ceiling and walls seemed merely faint
reflections of the brilliant maze OF color
that stretched below from door to altar.
SPLENDID MUSIC.
The Able Perosi. Italy's famous ora
torlo composer. waved his baton and the
silence was broken with the notes OF
the Dies Irae. Those who know the
Vatican we'll say the matchless Sistine
choir never sang as IL did to-day. Through
the historic chapel the voices of boys and
men rose and fell and swelled trium-
phantly as If with songs OF paradise, the
voices dying away almost to whisper at
the mention of dea tn. Even the cardi-
nails sat spell-bound at this perfection OF
the Gregorian chant. Not note OF In
strumental music was heard throughout
the mass.
At the altar Cardinal Serafino Yannu-
tell was assisted by Cardinals Agliardi,
Vincenzo Vannutelli. Satoll and Rich
ards, wearing white niters and glistening
Yestments
AS the fifty cardinals and fifty conclav-
lists gathered around the catafalque and
alternately knelt and rose. their move
ments resembled an Amazing Kaleidoscope
of crimson and violet. with colors so
bright as to be almost trying to the eys.
At the conclusion OF the mass the choir
again burst out into song and Cardinal
seraeno vannutelli, preceded by the cross
bearer, passed solemnly around the cata-
falque, after sprinkling 1t with holy wa
ter. Each of the officiating cardinals
followed in turn and the ceremony was
concluded with the chanting of the
Oremus.
1t was after midday when Cardinal
Vannutelli pronounced the final absolu-
ton.
To-day's meeting of the congregation of
change of Views on current affairs Mon
slgnor Merry Del Val secretary of the
consistorial congregation, gave each car
dinal n diagram. showing where his
apartments in the Vatican will be located
during the conclaVe,