The Washington herald., 1922-01-23
Italy Pays Official Trib-
ute for First Time in
Federation's History.
CARDINAL GASPARRI
ISGIvEN AUTHORITY
Prelates Hasten to Rome
For Nine-Day Rites
And Conclave.


of Benedict Nv. lies in state In the
throne room at the Vatican with a
constant procession Of princes Of
the church. papsl emisssries. arch
bishops. priests. and other high dis-
nitaries passing in silent tribute 80
the dead pontin. the Italian state.
for the FIRST time in the history
OF federated Italy. has officially
recognized a period Of mourning
for the Pope.
A state decree ordering all naS,
in municipalities throughout Italy
and her colonies. at half staff. aud
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
attempts OF Benedict Nv 90 bring
about a reppochement between
the church and the government
as successfully instanced In h. the
resumption OF relations between
France and the Pope-the action Of
the Italian government is conSid-
cred highly significant in ecclesiasti-
cal and civil quarters.
VIII Not Ne EmbsImed.
The body Of the pontifr was ~
moved at 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
the body will not be embalmed.
Cardinal Merry Del Val. who
acted as cardinal cha smberlsin dur
ing the last few days OF the Pope's
Illness has been replaced by Cardi-
nal Gsspsrri. papal secretary OF
state. The cardinal chamberlain
Is vested with all the papal author
ity in the interim between the
Pope's death and the election OF his
successor. He issues no bills or
papal edicts. however. for Bene-
diets seals have been broken IN
order that no further acts may 20
out under his name
Frelstes Are Arriving.
The call has been issued for the
convening OF the college Of cardinals
and from every part Of the world
high church officials are haStenins
TO Rome for the conclave. Alresdv
prelstes from various European
countries are arriving.
The bells OF St Peters an5
other churches in the city toll~d
throughout the day. and thousands
outside the Vatican and at churches
prayed for the Pope.
The last moments OF the Popc'S
r d. . T.
end came peacefully. 4 few min
utes before six O'Clock in tho
morning His Holiness was aroused
from the state OF coma into whi,h
he had been sinking during the
night, and inquired what time II
was lie was Informed thar Il
was nearly >lS o'clock. aud rc-
/ questcd. apparently in deIirium
that he he dressed for the i've
O'Clock mass which Cardinal vfcor
had been asked 60 celebrate az
the little chapel near the bsdsido.
The mass had already been said
Would Give Life for Peaee.
Earlier in the night. during one
Of his lucid moments. Renedict de-
] clared that he would willingly give
his life for the pacihcation OF the
world"
Il am thirsty" His Holiness
then murmured. Delirium then re-
turned. He struggled feebIy with
attendants, insisting that he be
shaved Immediately. because IA
was a long time since they had
shaved him" Then Pope Bene-
/ diets body relaxed PhysicIsns
found his extremities cold and
then after a last effort TO restor.
]
/ announced after the prescribed
ceremonies had been carried out.
The body. as il rests W the
throne room. Is dressed in white.
the robes familiar TO all who have
been admitted I'm audience. II
rests on a bed covered with
red silken blanket, and at each
corner is a great golden candle
in which huge. almost monumental
candles, are constantly burning.
NerInes Pope's Desa
Upon the announcement OF IN.
physicians in attendance upon His
Holiness that Benedict had died.
the ceremony OF attesting - she
death by church officials began.
The first duty Of the cardinal
chamberlain was TO establish the
death officially. Wearing the vio-
let robes which the cardinals take
on with the death OF the Pope.
and surrounded by the candle
bearers and priests Of the holy
apostolic chamber. Cardinal Gas
parri was ushered into the room.
Just across the threshold he
and HIS suite dropped TO their
knees and repeated the prayers
| prescribed by the ritual
Then. arising and approaching
the death bed the cardinal cham
berlsin slowly and gently removed
the white veil covering the pom
tifr's face. Looking straight into
Benedict's face. the cardinal took
the little silver msilet and slowly
tapped three times on the forehead
Of the dead Pope. each time calf
! ing out the baptismsl name. -Gis-
como. Giacomo. GiRcono."
Hing Is Removes
There being no response the car
dinal said: The Pope is verify
dead"
Then IL was thst tho signal was
flashed from 81. Peters beiffy and
odscisl news OF the death was toiied
on the csthedrsrs chimes.
After this came thu second Gr~st