The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-23
VIEWED BY THE CLERGY.
Body of the Pope Laid I'm State in the
Vatican Yesterday.

ROME, July 22.-The first of the great
ceremonies of Pope Leo's funeral COM
menced to-day, when the body lay in state
in the throne room of the Vatican from $3.50
a. until / p. m. All the diplomats ac-
dukes, barons and other representatives of
ancient families remaining faithful to the
papecy, all the high dignitaries of the
church, the archbishops, bishops, patriarchs
and heads of the religious orders passed in
solemn procession before the bier of the late
Pontiff. The papal throne had been re-
moved and in its place, under the famous
red silken canopy, on small bed, lay the
body of Leo XIII. Over the bed was thrown
a red damask covering on which the body
reposed. The thin hands, clasped over the
chest held tightly a small ivory crucifix
Around this was entwined a rosary of
mother OF pearl set in gold. On the third
pontifcal ring sparkled. In striking con-
trast with the CHASTITY face was the purple
hood. drawn down over the head almost to
eyebrows and ou.f the ears The sunken
cheeks and jaws brought the nose and chin
nearly together on the mouth, which was
reduced almost to nothing, though no signs
of agony were visible. 1t was the corpse of
a man who had been dead fifty years.
On either side near the shoulders stood a
member of the noble guard erect and mo-
tionless, only faint culver of the drawn
not mere statues. The ordeal of the SOL
diers in the heated chamber is so intense
that they have TO be constantly relieved
At the four corners of the bed stood light
the body, close to the bed, was a small
table, covered with white linen cloth on
mer of light on the crucfix between them.
AT the foot of the cross was a crystal bowl.
filled with holy water, from which each
cardinal, whenever he passed the body,
splrl aA md
sides this there were devotional books used
by Pope Leo in his life time.
The silence was only broken by the SOL
emn chanting of six Franciscan peniten-
tiaries who. kneeling or standing at a
bench at the foot of the beer continued
their incessant supplieation.
To the left and right, the walls two
great gold and marble brackets supported
many branched candalabra, but they were
not lighted nor were the lamps on the mar
BILE columns at each corner of the throne
room. The only light thrown on this SOL
emn scene came from the candles beside
the body and from the faint rays of sun
light which altered through the two win
dows. curtained with white silk and rich
green hangings.
The red damask tapestries. with which the
room was hung, gave a touch of royal
splendor to the surroundings. Otherwise it
was almost simple scene for the death
rites of a Pope. There was no carpet on
the marble floor and not flower was to be
seen, according to the strict ritual of the
last honors of the church TO a Pontiff.
AS each lay or clerical dignitary entered
the throne room he advanced slowly to the
side of the bed, took one last look at the
body and then withdrew Some persons
knelt in momentary prayer and crossed
themselves. II was the last tribute of af-
lection and devotion rather than of mere
outward homage to the head or the great
church.
During the latter part of the afternoon
minor ecclesiastics and laymen less distin-
guished than those who were admitted in
the morning. were allowed to enter the Vat
lean and view the body of the Pope.