Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-07-31
r feet as a last tribute and sign

/, .r feet as last tribute anu ei6h
of respect. When the body had been
carefully put in the coffin it was en-
tirely concealed with the red velvet
covering which before had been on the
bier. The majordomo put beside the
body two silk purses containing coins
of silver and bronze metal struck dur
ing Leo's pontificate. A eulogy writ
ten in magnificent Latin, and setting
forth the great events OF Pope Leo's
life and reign, enclosed in a metal
tube, was also inferred with the body.
When all had been arranged the su-
preme prayer was said and the last
benediction given, all present Joining
in. Half suppressed sobs were heard
on all sides.
| Sealed Into Leaden Coffin.
The second coffin was of lead and
very heavy. On the cover, at the head,
was a cross, just below which was a
skull and crossbones, while below
these were the arms Of the dead pope,
with the triple crown, but without the
keys, as they signify living victory.
This coffin was sealed personally
with the arms of the camerlingo. The
majordomo of the chapter of the ba-
silica lighted brazier, which was
used in soldering the coffin, producing
sounds and sights strange to hear and
see in church. These two collins
were closed in a third casket of pol
shed walnut with decoration,
When the last supreme moment
came the heavy collins, weighing in all
1922 pounds, were rolled out Of the
chapel, preceded by mace bearers and
choir, singing as they went and fol-
lowed by all the. cardinals, among
which the bowed figure Of Oreglia,
the strong upright Vannutelli broth
ers, the white haired Agliardi and the
immense black proved Svampa were
the most conspicuous. Pulleys were
attached to the coffin and soon, to the
strains of the "Benedictus Dominus
Deus Israel" 1t was raised into the
store sarcophagus above the door,
where 1t will remain until the grateful
cardinals created by the late pope
shall erect a suitable tomb in the ba-
silica of st. John Lateran, which was
chosen by the pope himself as his last
resting place.
Thus was Pope Leo consigned to his
long rest.
The ring Of the fisherman, which
should have been found on the hand Of
the pope, has disappeared. 1t is not SO
much a question of it's intrinsic as its
sentimental value, for the ring of the
fisherman is used to seal the papal
bulls and is the outward sign Of au-
thority Of the pope. When the car.
dinal carmelingo certifles to the death
Of the pope he takes the ring Of the
fisherman from the chamberlain of his
holiness. 1t Is then destroyed in the
presence of all cardinals at the first
of the sacred college held az
ter the pope's death. But when Car
dinal Oreglia, the present camerlingo,
had certified to the death Of Leo XIII.
Mgr. Bisletti was prey OF the deepest
despair and had to admit that the ring
had disappeared. Cardinal Oreglia,
who had, as is the custom, brought
his declaration Of having received the
ring from the papal chamberlain, all
written out, had to put 1t back in his
pocket. Mgr. Bisletti can give no in
dication as to the robber. The theft
must have taken place between the
death of the pope and the morning Of
the following day, when Cardinal Greg
liza officially certified to his death;
During this time large number Of
,orsons entered the death chamber.
The disappearance Of the ring has
caused tremendous sensation at the
vatican, where it is the sole subject
Of conversation. In the meantime in
the certificate Of death Of Pope Leo
XIII. all allusion to receiving the ring
has been suppressed.
Friends of Mgr Bisletti hope that
when the seals are removed from the
cabinets of the late pope the ring will
be found in one of them, but very lit
tie confidence is felt.