Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-20

Excepting the pontihca1 coronation,
the selection of a new Pope by the
College of Cardinals is perhaps the
most impressive ecclesiastical cere-
mony of the Roman Catholic Church.
For days. and sometimes for weeks
at a time, the cardinals are walled in
without communication from the out
side world. Medieval in some re-
spects, the century-old customs at
tendant upon the election coincide
with and probably have inspired mod
ern parliamentary procedure.
Before the meeting of the conclaYe
all the cardinals of the Sacred College
assemble in the Pauline Chapel pre-
liminary to their entrance into the
sealed quarters. In the Pauline Chapel
the assembled prelates and attendant
priests chant Latin invocation.
The members of the Sacred College
then march slowly through the royal
hall attended each by a member OF
the Noble Guard, his chaplain and a
servant. A stop is then made IN the
Sistine Chapel for ritual prayers.
Following this ceremony a member
of the Noble Guard escorts each car
dinal to his cell, bids him farewell
and expresses the hope that he may
! see his patron Oh the throne of st.
Peter. It is customary for each car
dinal to inform his guard that he IS
| entitled to ask him for two favors.
After the "exeant omnes" the mar
shall takes the oath to protect the Sc
cred College in the performance of its
greatest duty. Immediately there
| after follows the impressive ceremony
| of sealing up the conclaye behind
walls of cement. stone and mortar.
| Genuine walls of masonry are con-
structed across all doors and pass
ages, all telephones are taken out and
both telephone and telegraph wires
| ripped out and cut into pieces.
The so-called "cells" occupied by
the cardinals are not so primitive In
| construction as they were in the
Middle Ages. Each cardinal has a
comfortable, plainly furnished bed
room and sitting room. 1t is Gus
| tomary for the members of the Sacred
| College to eat their meals alone in
! their private apartments Those who
wish to enjoy each others company
at a general table are privileged to
do so.
The Sistine Chapel is transformed
for the election. Upon the altar a
vast arras, representing the descent
of the Holy Ghost, is placed. A
throne IN front OF Lne aildf is re-
served for the new pontiff.
In the centre of the chapel is a
large table bearing two cases and one
large covered chalice for the recep-
ton of ballots. Before each cardinals
throne is small table with ink,
paper and sealing wax.
To the left of the entrance is a
stove with a pipe leading out of a
window. In this stove the unsuccess-
| ballots are burned with damp straw.
The escaping black smoke signifies to
the public and the watchers outside
the chapel that no choice has been
made. When the decisive ballot is
taken the papers are burned with dry
straw and the light smoke indicates
that Pope has been elected.
When the first ballot is taken the
violet Bobed prelates enter the chapel
| two by two, walking slowly, each to
his canopied seat or throne, as it is
| technically designated.
Immediately after all the cardinals
are seated the secretary of the con-
clave reads the apostolic oath, the