Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-23
Italy Establishes Precedent
By Paying Official Tribute
For First Time
GASPARRI IN CHARGE
Prelates Hasten to Rome to Join in
Nine Day Rites and Official Con-
clave.

Rome, Jan. 23.-While the body OF
Benedict XIV. lies in state in the
throne room at the Vatican with {
constant procession of princes ot
the church, papal emissaries. arch,
bishops, priests, and other high dig.
nitaries passing in silent tribute te
the dead pontiff. the Italian state
for the first time in the history OF
federated Italy has officially recog.
nized period of mourning for the
Pope.
"a state decree ordering all flags
in municipalities throughout Italy
and her colonies, at half staff, anG
the closing of all places of amuse.
ment for two days has been issued
by the government. In view of the
long struggle between the state and
the Vatican and the noteworthy at.
tempts of Benedict XIV to bring about
reppochement between the church
and the governments successfully
instanced in the resumption of rela.
tions between France and the Pope
the action of the Italian govern
ment is considered significant in &C.
clesiastical and civil quarters.
The body of the pontiff was re,
moved ats o'clock this Afternoon
from the death chamber to the
throne room, where, in life Benedict
had conducted many of his most
far reaching state audiences.
Under his will the terms of which
were read directly after the solemn
ceremony establishing his death
| the body will not be embalmed.
Cardinal Merry Del Val, who
acted as cardinal chamberlain during
the last few days of the Pope's i'll.
ness, has been replaced by CardinaI
Gasparri. papal secretary of state
The cardinal chamberlain is vested
with all the papal authority in the
interim between the Pope's death and
the election of his successor. He is,
sues no bills or papal edicts how
ever, for Benedict's seals have been
broken in order that no further acts
NAV go out under his name.
The call has been issued for the
convening of the college of cardinals
and from every part of the world
high church officials are Fastening
to Rome for the conclave. Already
prelates from various European
countries are arriving.
The bells of st. Peters and
other churches in the citv tolled
throughout the day, and thousands
outside the Vatican and at churches
praved for the Pope.
The last moments of the Pope's
life were dramatic. but the actual
end come peacefully. A few minrtos
before six o'clock in the morning His
Holiness was aroused from the state
of coma into which he had been
sinking during the night, and in.
ouired what time it was. He was
Informed that it was nearly six o'clock
and requested apparently in deliriun
that he he dressed for the ; o'clock
mass which Cardinal Vigor had beer
asked TO celebrate at the little chapel
near. the bedside. The mass had
already been said.
Earlier in the night. durinr one
Of his lncid moments. Benedict de.
cIared that he "would willingly give
his life for the pacification of the
world"
~ am thirsty" His Holiness thpr
murmured. nelirium then returned
He struggled feeblv with attendants
insistin" that he be shaved immodi.
atelv. "hecanse it was long time
since thew had shaved him" Their
Pone Renndict's BODY relaxed. Phv-
sicians found his evtrnmities cold anG
thnn aftnr last effort to restore
His Holiness. death was nfficiall,
| announced after the prescribed cere.
monies had been carried out.
The body as it rests in the
throne room. is dressed in whitn the
rohns familiar 70 All who have beer
admitted in audience II rests on A
bod covered with red silken blanket
and at each corner is "rnat cnldor
candle in which huge. almost monu.
mental candles, are constantly burn
! ing.