Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-08-20
THE LATE Plus THE TENTH.
Ceremony of Removal of Fisherman's
Ring From Hand Of Late 4
~ pontiff. 3

AZ CARDINAL Varutelli slowly and
solemnly uttered these words, the
death of the Pope was for the first
time officially flashed to st. Peters
from the Vatican palace, and the
many bells o. Rome rang their sac
chorus while the prelates surround
mo the death bed of the pontiff re-
cited the "De Profundis."
Cardinal vanutelli, garbed in violet,
tile mourning color of his station, ae- a!e
ccmpanied by other prelates, wearing
black capes over their robes, went to
the death chamber early yesterday,
where Cardinal Merry Del Val, papal
secretary of state, awaited them.
The ceremonies about to be per-
formed were most solemn. There
was the hush of death over all, save
for the low chanting which would
pause at the signal of Cardinal VAN
utelli that he desired to speak. Inc
Pope's body Iay o.: the he'd untouch-
ed for no human hand must come in
contact with the body until compile
tion of the ceremony of removing the
fsherman's ring A white veil Gov
cred the late pontiff's features.
As the Cardinal entered one of the
attendants eteprad forward and
placed a velvet cushion Of violet al
the right side of the death bed. Card
inal Vanutelli slowly kneeled upon the
cushion and murmured a prayer. As
the aged cardinal prayed, Mgr. Rig
and Cardinal Del Val, prefect the
If the sacred palaces, as we'll as sec
retary of state, removed the white
! veil. The praying ceased and aoso
lutte stiffness reigned.
!! At signal from Cardinal Vaun
telli an attendant handed him sllVel
mallet on a golden tray This maize
had been used for years in ceremon
les similar to that about to be per
formed. :,
Mallet in hand, Cardinal Vauntell
Ieaned forward and tapped the pom
tiff lightly upon the forehead thre
times, crying.
Joseph Joserh, Josena'
I There was a pause and Cardlna
Vanutelli said.
"Thc Pope is really dead"
The news was flashed to St. Pet
er's tower and the news was tolle'
10 the city and the bells of Rom
ioined in. The pre.ates kneeled an
the "De Profundis" was recited, Will
the body of the Pope was aspere
with holy water. Mgr. Rigi gave tn
signal for the second half of the cel
emony and the master Of the chamoe
approached the death bed. Removln
the fisherman's ring, one similar
which has been worn by the Pope
from time immemorial, he placed
in a red bag and handed>it to Card
nal Mamerlingo. This over, the cu'
todian of the seals presented tt
seals of the holy see to Cardinal val
uletti. The rings and seals used
the pontin' in the issuance OF no
bills, briefs, and ether documents WI
! be broken and shown to the Sacr'
College as evidence that no docume'
will be promulgated unGer the nan
for the dead pOntItt.
The apostolic prctonotary advanc
S to the center of the room ana
l kneeled. He then read the act 7
t cording the death of the Pope t.
" ect identifying the body, and t
act Of the removal Of the fisherman
ring and the delivery of it and t
seals to Cardinal Vanuletti. In
;. came the third palt of the ceremoI
= A detachment of Swiss guards 81 u
o denly appeared in the doorway d.:
g luting Cardinal Vanutelll' the Gu
if mander-in-clief O. the guards
c vanced and sworc obedience l
Il cardinal then, escorted by the guar
S and followed by the .1relates, retir
to his room and Gonned the roDeS
his office. He -han adjourned TO
lie anartment If. another part OF
e palace. where ne vii reside until
d sacred college sh2!l have eiectea
y ether Pope.
a The Cardinal once in his own apa
N ment, the oiN.:iai message SUNNI
al irr the Cardinals from all parts
81 the world to Rome to attend Uhe g
clave for the election Of a Pope,
sent forth. Several cardinals ne
of the archipiscopal seats IN IT
er will reach Rome tomorrow 1or '.
n first congregation of the Sacred
h. lcpe. Cardinal Vanutei!i VIII pres