The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-21
temporary custodian during the inter-

reEnum.
TEMPORARY HEAD OF THE CHURCH.
The perfect administration machinery of
the church provided against the slightest
interruption of the governing authority.
AS the senior member of the Sacred Col
lege, Cardinal Oregia, to whom the Pope
to-day solemnly confided the interests of
the church, now becomes the exponent of
the cardinals until Pope Leo's successor
shall be elected. This has brought forth
Cardinal Oreglia as the striking personality
Of the hour. The cardinal is the exact
antithesis of Pope Leo, having none of the
late Pontiff's sympathetic and benevolent
characteristics. He comes from a noble
Piedmontese stock and his nobility is
shown in his naughty and austere bearing.
He is not popular among his colleagues or
the Romans and his brusque manner has
earned him the title of Piedmont Bear"
He is tall and robust and his seventy-four
years are shown by the whiteness of his
nair. His face has the tawny hue of old
parchment and is deeply lined Despite
his austerity, the cardinals learning and
piety are universally recognized. This Is
the man who for the time being is prac-
tically Pope. 1t was he who issued the
orders to clear the Vatican of intruders
and brought tranquility out of the con-
fusion Immediately following Pope Leos
death.
The death of the Pontiff occurred at
time when all was singularly calm about
the Vatican, as people had been so long ex-
pecting the final summons that their sensi-
bilit1es were well nigh numbed. Outside ST.
Peters the empty trolley cars swung slow
~ around the loop and across the square
into the cool shade of the great colonnade
which for over two centuries has been the
pride of Roman architecture. The clang of
the bells was the only noise which dis
PEELED the traditional peacefulness of an
Now and again one of those little open
carriages in which all Rome rides ratified
across the Vesuvian stone with which the
place on the cab rank which lies in the
shadow of Michael Angeles 400 columns.
A few half-naked urchins dwaddled in
the spray which the light breeze blew from
the fountains that play increasingly beside
the huge obelisk brought to Rome from
Egypt by some conquering emperor A few
yards away, beside the bronze doors which
lead to the Vatican, some twenty or thirty
men and boys and a handful of gendarmes
lazily awaited the news.
WHEN DEATH WAS ANNOUNCED.
Inside the Swiss guards lolled on a bench
and complained Of the heat. Scarcely a soul
passed up the marble staircase and the
courtyard of San Damaso was deserted,
except for the heavy black carriages of
the cardinals and their coachmen, who
were awaiting their masters. 1t was the
hour OF the siesta. Nothing could have
been more peaceful. Occasionally one of
the more energetic among the watchers
ventured into the sun to take another glance
at the Pope's room, which. kept closely
shuttered was in perfect harmony with
the quiet scene Ii overlooked. At twenty
minutes past a man dashed madly across
st. Peters square, then empty. A second
later another followed on a bicycle. Within
a few seconds. ii by magic. newspaper
men, gendarmes and messengers, running.
driving and sesticulating, dashed to and
from the portals of the Vatican
Like an ethereal message there flashed
across the world. "He is dead.
Rubbing the afternoon sleep from their
eyes. bareheaded men and women, many
carrying babies, emerged from the darkened
houses and cafes and hurried TO the door
OF the Vatican. The Transformation was
feeling of the rapidly gathering crowd now
permeated where. few minutes before,
there had been no sign OF life The French
ambassadors carriage drove furiously from
the Vatican and drew up at a nearby tele-
graph office Without waiting for the horses
to stop the ambassador jumped out and
advised his government of the Popes
death. There soon followed the cardinals,
who. with set faces, drove slowly home
ward.
Behind the shutters of Pope Leo's room.
which still remained closed, all was over.
The heavy bronze doors were swung TO, and
entrance to the Vatican was obtainable
only by knocking at a little wicket, which
was closely kept within by the papal guard
and without by the Italian police. The
latter had been, slightly reinforced. bat had
no difficulty In controlling the crowd. which
was allowed TO remain In the square, just
as IL was accustomed to do before the
DEATH but not to enter the Vatican itself.
Carriages kept rafting up, their occu-
pants mostly holding in their hands extra
editions announcing the Pope's death. On
the steps of St. Peters sat group of
young Italian princes discussing the situ-
type of peasant and working women, who
make Rome so picturesque. few entered
the Basilica itself, and there offered up
prayers for Pope Leo's soul. Among the
s,Ipplicants were many monks. who, with
hands uplifted. prayed long and earnestly
at the gates of the dimly lighted shrines.