The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-07-20
The Ceremonies Attending the Elec-
ton Of the New Pope by
the Cardinals.
Many Curious Usages That Have
Come Down From the Past
500 Centuries.

frescos of Michael Angelo illustrating the
creation and the last Judgment
Connected with the capital 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 attend
ants, and their arrangements are such
that when their eminences 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 being that the mem
hers of this exalted council shall be sub
jected to no mundane Influences Each
cardinal is allowed the services Of a Sec
rotary and an attendant, who while the
conclave lasts occupy rooms adjacent to
the particular cell allotted to their mas
ter. On the day fixed for the meeting Of
the cOnclave, the cardinals assemble to
hear special mass of the holy spirit and
to take the oaths of faithfulness and Sc
crecy. When this is accomplished all the
members of the sacred congregations go
in solemn procession, two@by two, and
followed by the long retinue Of attend
ants, to the conclave, while the inspiring
strains Of the "Veni Creator Spiritus'' are
chanted.
Once within the confines of the con-
clave the massive doors are shut with
double locks and from that moment until
the new pontiff is elected, no person is
-
for the assemblage are prepared within
the walls of the vatican and are delivered
thru easement, let into the great door.
1t is here, also, that on the first day of
the conclave a committee of cardinals
appointed by the whole body, gives au-
dience to the foreign ENJOYS. This, how
ever, takes place before the conclave has
actually met for the papal election. The
Sistine chapel is especially fitted for the
holding of this momentous council The
stalls for the cardinals, ranged on each
side, are surmounted by canopies of cloth
in the ecclesiastical colors. And at the
far end, opposite to the high altar, are
places assigned to the secretaries. 4 On
tho altar itself, or on a table in front
rests the Pix containing the Host. When
mass has been said and all is prepared.
the conclave proceeds to its solemn task.
How Popes Are Elected. <s
The election of a pope is, effected by
three fnethods-by declaration OF adora-
ton, In which is embodied the idea of
direct divine inspiration; by the compro-
mise; or by vote. The late Pope Leo
was elected on the second day Of the
conclaWe by reclamation.
The system of voting, called the scru-
tinum, Is regulated by exact prescription.
Tho proceedings; are under the directions
OI
bishops, priestssand deacons Every car
dinal is provided Withsa 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, beginning with the one of
the most ancient creation, leaves his staff
and advances to the high altar. Amid a
solemn hush the elcctor prays for while
on the altar steps. and then, declaring
aloud that his vote is given according to
his conscience, drops his voting paper in
the chalice. 'es7s-%
The TelItaIe Smoke.
When all have. voted in like manner
the six scrutineers examine the papers
and proclaim the result. If no cardinal
has obtained the required number of
votes-two-t thirds Of the number Of car
dinals present plus one-the result is de-
clared void, and the voting papers. col
lected together, are burned in a brazier
with damp straw, the dense smoke from
which issues thru particular chimney,
visible from outside and proclaims to
the world that no election has taken
place.
Under these circumstances on the aft
ernoon OF the same day a second vote
takes place, supplementary to the first,
and called the accessit vote. In this the
cardinal who has obtained the largest
number of votes in the morning is the
most acceptable to the conclave Conse-
quently his name is the only one consid-
cred for the moment and each cardinal
votes for him by writing the word FAC
cedo" on his scheda, or voting paper, or
signifies his dissent by the words SAC
cedo nomini." If this new vote leads to
no result, the papers are burned as be-
fore and the conclave adjourns until the
following morning, when the election
begins afresh and quite irrespective of
the previous days proceedings.
When at length the determining vote is
taken and the cardinal deacon, as scru-
tined, announces that a certain candidate
has been elected pope, there is depar-
ture from the procedure adopted hitherto.
The cardinal deacon opens each folded
voting paper fully, and, reading the Latin
motto, which each cardinal has to in
scribe on it for the purpose Of ultimate
Identification, makes known how each
member Of the conclave has voted. In
old days, when much depended upon the
favor Of the pontiff, the knowledge that
the newly elected pope would learn the
names of his opponents was frequently a
determining factor when the voting be-
came close, and induced wayerers to rally
to candidate who appeared to have a
good prospect of success.
The election being over, a summons is at
once sent to the project Of ceremonies,
who speedily enters the chapel, bearing
the fsher1nans ring. An interval then
occurs, during which the canopies are re-
moved from the stalls of the cardinals
except, that of the newly elected pope
and his holiness retires to robe himself
in the pontifcal .vestm tents.
On his return the fisherman's ring is
placed on his finger by the cardinal
camerlingo and the new vicar Of Christ
gives his first solemn sbenediction to the
members, of the sacred college from the
steps of the altar Then, taking his seat
on the sedia gestatoria, the pope receives
the homage of their eninences and COM
municates the names which it is his
pleasure to assume as pontiff Next, the
first cardinal deacon takes the oath of
obedience, and, Fastening to the grand
loggia or balcony of st. Peters looking
onto the great piazza, announces to the
expectant multitude the election of the
pope, using the form of words, conse-
Grated by immemorial usage: st bring
you tidings of great joy. We have a
pope, the most high and reverend lord
Chere is inserted the Christian name
and surname of the new pope) who has
taken upon himself the name Of Plus x of
Leo XIV.
The people then flock into St Peters
to see the pope and to receive his bless
ing, and it is a stirring scene which pre-
Ssents Itself to the noble cathedral when
the sovereign pontiff, clad in the richest
,st,o nd 49, 10.