The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-28
MEETING OF CARDINALS.
James Gibbons Takes the Oath of the
Sacred College.

ROME, July 27.-At to-days meeting of
the congregation fifty-two cardinals were
present and all noticed the exceptionally
cordial reception accorded to Cardinal Glib
bons. who was visibly touched by it. He
thanked all his colleagues and embraced
Cardinal Satolli The American Cardinal
has given no indication of his prediction in
regard to the election of the new pope and
has refused to see any newspaper men.
Cardinal Gibbons celebrated early mass
then drove to the Vatican. He was most
the members of the sacred college appointed
at the last consistory were presented to
him. Cardinal Gibbons then took the oath
of the Gospels. administered by Cardinal
Oreglia, dean of the sacred college, to MAIN
tain strict secrecy on all questions discussed
at the meeting of the congregation, to de-
fend the rights, prerogatives and temporal
claims Of the church, adhering to all the
protests formulated by the defunct pontin
against the occupation of the pontifical
states and against the laws passed to the
detriment of the church and apostolic see
The cardinals again discussed the advis-
ability OF sending note to the powers re-
garding the condition of the Holy See
Some OF them insisted on the necessity of
not allowing the occasion to pass without
again protesting against the occupation OF
pontifical territory by Italy, thereby show
ing that the papacy is determined to main
tain its claim undated. Others said they
thought that such a note would not add
any force to the many protests of the same
KIND ALREADY made, while 1t might inter-
fere with the policy which the future Pope
may desire to follow and added that the
best thing to do was to leave the successor
OF Leo XIII entirely free TO choose the
course which ne may consider best for the
good OF the faithful and the general inter-
ests of the church. No decision on the sub
ject was arrived at. II the cardinals deter
mine 20 send the note it Will probably be
delivered TO the diplomatic body on Thurs
day
When the meeting of the congregation
was over Cardinal Gibbons went TO ST.
rament. He then knelt before the resting
place of the body of Pope Leo and prayed
for several minutes. Cardinal Gibbons has
clavist, beside whom he will take only one
servant into the conclave
The Vatican resembles anthill so fe-
verish Is the work of preparing the part of
that building to be used for the conclaye
Before 1870 conclaves were held in the OUR
inal Palace, one long wing of which was al
ways ready without any special prepare
tion but III the case OF the vatican apart
ments three or four rooms for each cardinal
have to be specially prepared, and, as
there are sxty-four cardinals, the amount
OF work involved is great
The Sistine Chapel, as in the case of the
last conclave. will be used for the meetings
of the cardinals and the ballotirg There,
after three solemn funeral services, which
begin Tuesday, will be erected throne for
each cardinal. Over the thrones will be
canopies attached TO the wall behind The
moment a new Pope is elected he will lower
his canopy as a token of his new dignity,
thus silently announced. Assurances nave
been given that everything will be in read
mess for Friday night, but there IL much
yet to be accomplished.
AT to-days meeting several of the car
dinals proposed, in view of the extreme heat
to celebrate mass during the conclave in the
Pauline Chapel early enough every morning
TO complete the morning balloting in the
Sistine Chapel by IL o'clock. This PROPOSE
however, IL they desire, celebrate mass in
their own cells, for which purpose small
portable wooden affairs have been con-
structed.
The correspondent was permitted to see
the cell which Cardinal Gibbons will occupy
during the conclave. When the lots for
apartments were drawn the American car
dinal drew No. g. the modest apartment OF
Commentators Puccinelli. the master of the
house. Ii Is few steps up from the
ground floor on the left of the noble stair
case entering from the court of San Da-
mosa. The bedroom of the cardinal Is dec
Grated with paper of an ordinary yellowish
gray. and IL contains small black iron
bed. marble-top dressing table. q small
writing desk. an arm chair. an ison clothes
stnnd- a little. high movable mirror