Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-11


of Sergius. According to the first.
that OF Chambers, the name of Ser
gius when candidate was Pete di
Porcg and for two reasons ii was
changed; one that the first of his
name being the one borne by the
first occupant of the papal chair he
counted it disrespectful TO ST. Peter
to call himself Peter Il: the other.
that Porca, "The Hog if used,
woulG seem to make him ridiculous in
the eyes OF the populace; both consid
erations together leading him to
change his name TO Sergius. The
story given by Plotina IS that it was
At the instigation Of the cardinals that
the change was made. these consider
ing that the name would be a public
scandal in the Christian world.
After selecting his name and re-
ceving the homage Of his associates,
the new pope is arrayed in pontiflcal
vestments, several suits of which, of
various sizes, have been prepareSuu Su
Re then again receives the submission
and homage of the cardinals and a
procession is formed. headed by a
cross-bearer. the new pope being es-
corted to the apartments in the vati-
can occupied by his predecessor,
while a cardinal chosen for the pur-
pose proceeds in state to balcony in
the vatican facing the great public
square in front and there proclaims
the name Of the new pontiff.
The college of cardinals. which
elects pope, dates its origin back to
the earliest days of the church. Since
1872 the cardinals alone have had the
choice Of a pope and this body has
therefore enjoyed this sole preroga-
tive for over COO years.
AS constituted, the college Is com
posed Of cardinal bishops, cardinal
priests and cardinal deacons. The
cardinal bishops are the bishops of
Ostia. Porto, Albano. Tusculnm, Sabi
ma and Palestrina, the former states
of the church. In the 18th century
the number of cardinals was 2S, but
it has been since increased until now
when full, the college has 20 mem
bers 1t Is, however, never full, there
being always hats held in reserve, al
the disposal of the pope. to be confer
red when deemed advisable. At pres
ent the college, as to nationality
stands as follows: Italian, 29
French, Z: Spanish, Z; Austrian, s.
Bohemian, Q; Portuguese, 2; German
IL, Belgian, l.; Polish, 1;iIish. 3; Hun
garian, 4; English, 4 Canadian, I
and American. The preponderanct
of the Italian element is thus seen tt
be very decided, and although the ltal
ians have not the requisite two
thirds to elect a pope, they have
enough to prevent combination o.
the foreign element against them
and can, if they choose, control tht
election. 1t has been so for over 30t
years, Adrian W., in 1922, being thu
last pontiff of foreign birth.
The formalities attending the cleo
tion are numerous and must be com
Iplied with to the letter. When thu
reigning pope is believed to be In
dying condition, witnesses are assem-
bled to be present at his death, sev
eral cardinals being among the mum
ber. and as soon as the melanchol!
event occurs the papal chamberlain
takes charge Of the vatican, makes al
inventory of the property in the pope'i
private apartments, views the body
writes certificate OF death, which h
summons the witnesses to sign, orders
the papal chapel and st. Peters to b.
draped and the bells to be tolled.
The Funeral.
The funeral Of pope usual!
lasts nine days, the body, after be
ing embalmed and robed In pontifica
vestments, lying in state three day
in the private chapel Of the pope
three days in the sistine and thre'
in the cathedral Of St. Peter. BY on'
Of the pillars in the grand cathedra
there is a stone support on whicl
rests marble sarcophagus. 1t is el
evateJ 20 to 30 feet above the head
Of the people, and is In plain view o
the passers by. It is an object Of 10
terest to every visitor from the nc
that It is the temporary resting plec'
OF every pope. When pope dies th'
CONN OF his predecessor is removet
from this sarcophagus to tomb Il
the crypt Of the cathedral This sar
cophagus now contains the body AM
conn OF Plus TX. and when Leo XIII
dies the body Of his predecessor will
make way for his own.
End In 9Iqht