The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-22
And for the ConcIave Which
Chooses His Successor.
TO BE BURIED SATURDAY
St. Peters is Crowded With Worshipers- The
Deep Booming OF Funeral Bells Breaks
Mournfully the Quiet Of the
Roman Evening.
(By the Associated Press.)

Rome, July 21.-The body of Leo XIII
lies tonight in the hall of throne room a
few steps from the room in which hls
death took place. The same vestments,
the comauro hood, the rochet and the
white gown which were put on yesterday
surrounded by the lighted candles. the
Noble Guard and franciscan penitentiaries.
Tomorrow morning the diplomatic BODY,
the high dignitaries and the Roman
aristocracy will enter the hall to pay
their tributes of respect to all that re-
mains Of the Pope, who won the respect
and affection of the world. In the after
noon the body will be arrayed IL all the
glory of the pontifical robes, the mltIe re-
placing the hood and at sunset 1t will be
taken into the chapel of the sacrament
of st. Peters. where for three days, COM
mencing Friday, the public will be given
an opportunity of paying a last farewell
The interment will occur Saturday even
ing.
Today was notable for the impressive
ceremonial OF the recognition of the deatf.
Of the Pope, which occurred in the morn
ing in the chamber in which he died.
Thereafter only those were admitted who
were concerned in the embalming of the
body. an operation which occupied six
hours. Meanwhile the authorities of the
Vatican proceeded with the preparations
for the funeral and the conclave and the
acknowledgements of the condolences
which had been received. Among the lat
ter was a notable message from the Ger
man Emperor.
Throughout the day the Vatican was
SURROUNDED by crowds, which increased to-
wards night. Several thousand entered
st. Peters at vespers and joined in pray
ers for the departed. Among these We're
many italian officers, whose troops short
" after sunset were marched from the
Vatican back to their barracks. At no
time had their services been needed. 1t
is not the custom in Italy to wear the
conventional emblems of mourning, and
hence the crowd which, in consequence Of
the closing of many places of business,
wanders the streets tonight and has more
the appearance of an aimless holiday
making throng than one Borrowing for the
death of the Pope.
Into nearly all the churches, however,
hundreds, not often seen in places of de-
VotlOn, hooked TO YcSpefS TO say d hurried
prayer Afterwards they loitered outside
reading the deep black edged procama-
tions of Cardinal Respighi, the vicar of
Rome, concerning the funeral arrange
ments, the meeting of the conclave and
the church ceremonials
The quiet of the evening was broken by
a chorus such as the world has seldom
heard. On the stroke of eight all of
Rome's four hundred churches commenced
to toll bells for the passing of the soul of
Leo XIII. From the seven hills and from
every quarter of the city which contained
churches came the constant clang until
all was one vast reverbration The harsh
jingle of the smaller chapel bells striking
quickly and more often wa snot drowned
by the solemn strokes that came in mourn
ing measure from the great dome of st.
Peters. 1t was as if a great fire ragged
and every bell in Rome were vieing with
every othe rim anxiety to warn the popu-
lace. Expect in its common motive and
common sorrow it was an amazing dis
cord. which continued an hour and which
will recur nightly until the obsequies are
over.