The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-21
PRONOUNCEDDEAO
The Cardinals Assemble in the
POpe's Death Chamber.
The Cardinal CamerIengo Calls
Him by Name Three Times.
RECEIVING NO REPLY
He Declares: The Pope Is
Really Dead"
Cardinal Oreglia Assumes Di-
rectiOn of Church Affairs.
RECEIVING NO REPLY

Rome, July 2.-ThiS morning began
the first of those grandiose and unique
ceremonies which follow the demise of
a pope, and, although private, it was
conducted with great pomp and was
most impressive. All the cardinals pres
ent in Rome, numbering .wenty-nine,
assembled at the apostolic palace to
view the remains of the late Leo XIII
and to officially pronounce him dead.
cardinal Oreglia, dean of the sacred
college and camerlengo of the holy Ro-
man church, had to put aside his car
dlnaFs robes as a sign of deep mourn
ing, and was gowned entirely in violet
The other cardinals wore crimson robes
with violet collars. indicative of mourn
ing
Within the death chamber the body
lay with a white veil over the face, on
the bed, surrounded by Franciscan
penltentiaries, while outside the noble
guard maintained a solemn vigil. The
profound silence was only broken by the
chanting of prayers for the dead Into
tnls solemn presence came the mourn
Ing procession of cardinals, who. kneel-
ing silently prayed. Then the prelates
reVerently looked on while Cardinal
Oreglia approached the remains.
r or TINS mornings function the pope's
pedroom had been transformed into a
Klhd OF mortuary chapel with the altar
at one end, having in the center cruci-
TX surrounded by six lighted candles.
-Four candles stood at the bed corners.
Inc white veil was then removed from
the dead mans face. revealing the
cameo-like features of the denarted
pope, rendered sharper and more trans
parent by death. So lifelike was the
body that those present half expected
Leo to raise his hand in the familiar
gesture of blessing.
A moment Of breathless silence ensued
ana then the cardinal camerlengo taking
the aspersorlum, sprinkled the late
firm voice "Gioacchino." (the Christian
name of the deceased holy father)
When there was no answer the same
word was repea ted three times louder
and louder. After which turning to the
kneeling cardinals. the canaerlengo sol
emnly announced: Papa we're rnor-tuus
est C'The pope is really dead.")
AS the words were uttered there arose
from the kneeling cardinals a sigh. a
tribute paid to the late pontiff by these
princely heads of the church
After this, in voices trembling with
emotion, the ranking cardinals recited
the De Profundis, gave absolution ana
sprinl0led the body with holy water.
THE FISH ERMAN'S RING.
Following the ceremony of the recog-
milton of the death of the pope by the
sacred college came another shorter,
but no less significant and symbolic On
Leo's finger was the famous Fisher
mans ring, which the camerlengO, with
whispered prayer, drew gently off and
which, later will be broken in the pres
ence of the cardinals, reset and present
ed to the new pope when ne is elected.
The ring is of great antiquity. 1t is
even said to have belonged to st. Peter
himself 1t is a stone of little value,
cut with the scene of st. Peter drawing
in fishing nets. 1t was first used about
the year 1865 but for secret documents
it was only used later. Officially it is
one of the symbols of office, most priced
by the church. Although lost two or
three times, it has always been recov-
cred.
Hundreds of offers have come from
Italy and abroad from doctors, drug
gists andsspeciaHsts for the embalming
of the remains of Pope Leo. but, nat
urally. not one of them has been ac-
cepted.
Cardinal Rampolla intended to leave
the vatican last night. Immediately af-
ter the death of the pope, when. having
officially announced the demise of the
pontiff to the diplomatic body accred-
tied to the vatican and to the papal
nuncios. with instructions to have the
news communicated to the various for
eisn rulers. he considered his duties as
papal secretary of state to have been
ended Rampolla was on the point OF
leaving when Cardinal Oreglia insist
emily begged him to remain in the
apartment he had occupied for over
sixteen years and the secretary of state
acceded to the request.
The vicar of Rome. Cardinal Pietro
Respighi, has caused to be attached to
the doors of the churches an announce
ment of the death of Pope Leo. with in
structions regarding the prayers to be
offered and also giving information
about the funeral services
OREGIIA TAKES THE REINS.
c~Ovarur17p.af Of Catholic churches
has been assumed by Cardinal Oreglia
as dean of the sacred college and as
dean of the cardinal bishops He VIII
be assisted by the deans of the other
two orders of cardinals. Cardinal Macchi
Of the cardinal deacOns, and Cardinal
Rampolla for the cardinal priests, the
last however. merely as a substitute for
Cardinal Netto the patriarch of Lis
bon. who. when he arrives, VIII take
over his own duties.
The cardinals present in Rome met
this morning. under Cardinal Oreglia, iT
z prepare tory congregation. held In the
hall of the eOnsis tory. Oregila COM
rounicated to them the first instruction
he has given since the death Of the pope,
Informing them of the numerous mes
sages of coincidence received from oil
parts Of the world and of the universal
mourning for Leo XIII. An exchange of
ideas took place regarding the ceremoa-
les preceding the cOnclave. When Car
dinal Oreglia asked for the advice OF
one Of the cardinals present the latter
replied:
1T is difficult to give advice. Indeed.
YOU must teach US what to do. as not
one of us has ever participated in 2 con-
claVe"
The following telegram, dated Molde.
Norway has been received by Cardinal
OreEIia from the German emperor:
.'Molde, Norway. July 90 1901 am
painfully affected by the sad news 1
have Just received. I send to the Illus
trious college of cardinals the expression
of my sincere sympathy at the grievous
loss the Roman Catholic church has
sustained through the remise of the