Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-07-23

veto in the conclave Is unfounded.

emOtlOn, one distressing scene following
another. When 1t became known shortly
before p. m. that the Pope's journey
through the valley of death was almost
finished, Cardinal Vannutell hurried
again to his bed side, and was followed
shortly afterwards by what Is called the
Vatican phraseology, the ''papal secret
family and the noble family besides
the personal family including the late
Pope's nephews, Comte Ludovico, Ri
cardo and Camille. and also all the car
dinals at the Vatican, who afterwards
retired to the adjoining library, after
they had been allowed to kiss the Popes
hand and pass along, presenting another
of those pictures which will live in the
memory Of all those participating in it,
The aged Pontiff was dying unconscious
propped UP, to assist him in breathing,
one hand laid OH the red silk coverlet,
the heavy pontif1cal ring being in danger
Of falling from the shrunken finger. while
the other hand clutched his rosary and
crucifix. Though he was entirely uncon-
scious, CLEANS of intelligence seemed to
flicker across the worn face and the
shadow of a smile fell over the pallid lips
when the nephews passed and knelt and
kissed his hand. No word was spoken.
The only sound which broke the silence
of the death room was the rattle OF the
arms Of the noble guard, who were sta
toned at every door OF the Pope's pri-
and right under the circumstances to
take possession of the apartments and
guard the body Of the Pope.
THE FINAL. SCENE.
The final scene IN the death chamber
was profoundly impressive. the Pope
death having been expected since noon,
his death bed was surrounded by prac-
tically all tho members of tho Sacred Col
H. t.. II bn hntn mai nal
court, while the Pontiff's nephews re-
manned in tho papal library until they re-
ceived word from the doctors which an
nounced that his last expiring breath was
approaching, Then they moved silently
within the death chamber. some standing,
some kneelng, all awaiting the awful
moment of dissolution.
In the ante chamber had assembled the
diplomatic corps and representatives. of
the papal aristocracy, awaiting the an
nouncement that the final moment had
come.
Finally the Pope was asked to bless his
ncphews and all the others present He
attempted to raise himself and the eX-
treme emaciation of his person, covered
with a fine night shirt, was rendered
more pronounced by the surroundings.
The head of the Pontiff. with its white
skull cap, no whittier than the fringe of
silIery hair, rising above the crimson
coverlct his hand raised in the familiar
gesture of benediction. the kneeling as
semblage being too earnestly absorbed in
deep aff'iction, veneration and weeping,
to even make a movement
The last conscious act of the Pontiff
was to turn his eyes toward the great
crucific on the wall after which he suf-
fered paroyXsm of choking, during
which he passed away.
Then the silence of the awe stricken
solemn voice of Cardinal Vannutell, the
grand pcnitcntiary, intonng requiem
aetcrnam crest eternaD.
This was the signal for an outburst of
tears and the sound of weeping which
could no longer be repressed all the
kneeling prelates and others kissing the
dead hand--that hand which had dis
pensed so many benefits, charities and
benedictions
SCENES AFTER DEATH.
| The occurrences in the death chamber
| Immediately following the Pope's demise
| were of impressive solemnity. Couriers
had been despatched to summon there
those delegated to perform the first re
lgious offices toward the dead Pope and
| soon the chanting of the Franciscan
monks was heard as, two by two, in
coarse brown habits and with sandaled
| feet, they proceeded to the room in which
Leo lay dead
| The death chamber preserved much the
same appearance as it did at the time OF
the final illness of the Pope. 1t is situated
on the third floor of the Vatican, the
apa rtments fronting the splendid piazza
OF st. Peters and the window of the
room commanding view of the tai
obelisk and playing fountains, with Rome
stretching beyond the Tiber.
The gruesome details of the embalmnl
will not be performed until after the lapse
| of twonty-four hours. Then the body viii
be ROBBED in full pontihcal vestments fol
the imposing funeral ceremonies.
The great plaza of St Peters was sool
a scene of wild confusion. AS word o
the Pope's death became known, although
the public had day after day expecting
the tidings. the shock Of the actual even
was none the less profound.
Within the massive colonnade frontin;
St Peters. great crowds surged to tn
very doors OF the Vatican even strugglin.
to gain access to the corridors leading t.
the death chamber. Across the entrance
to the colorado hung the massive chains
which are usually down to permit TIL
free circulation of visitors These ponder
Gus iron barriers were now Topped acros
the entrance and behind them stoo,
strong detachmcnts of Swiss Guards. Wit
fixed bayonets. presenting a solid wal
of iron and steel against further intrusion
IStil further back the groups of journals
and other anxious watchers were likewis
thrown into wild confusion. They ha
been pushed back to the neghborin
ca fes and shops lining the adjacent street
where they viewed the Vatican entranc
from n distance.
Their first intimatlOn of the catastroph
was when bicyclist dashed across tn
entrance and was away like an arrow
! This was quickly recognized as the sigma
that the Pope had passed away.
Immediately the crowds dashed int
the plaza, shouting for the few avail
able cabs and elhowing and strugglin
to get forward towards the front to as
certain the details. The whole squar
vas in tumult but the government troop
hurried from the neighboring barrack
restored order. They fanked the Q!
: planade and took possession of ever
S entry of the Borgo district, leading
e the Vatican. For the time being all ira
g fc was suspended and the whole regc
: from the frowning walls of St. Ange
l. castle to the door of St Peters wei
I within the firm grip of the Vatican al
70 thoritics and the government troops.
70 In the down town portion of the cit
r the most perfect order prevailed. Gu
s ward evidences of mourning soon hega
= TO appear along the Corso Many
@ the shops were closed and funeral en-
blems hung upon the buildings.
=, SKETCH or THE POPE.
? His late holiness was born at Carpine
- in the diocese of Anagni in the pap
. states, on March 3 1910, being christen,
= under the name of Joachim Vincent. TT
= society of Jesus. which it was afterwar,
. the first care of his pOntihcate to r