The New York herald., 1922-01-24
REMOVAL TO ST. PETERS
IMPOSING CEREMONY
Sacred College Foliows Bier
From Throne Room.

ROME, Jan. 2S (Associated Press).-
The body Of Benedict XIV. will lie in
state in the Basilca OF st. Peters only
"a day and a half more, according to
the present plans. Final decision will
be taken on this question Wednesday
morning. but the present view OF the
Vatican is chat it will be impossible to
keep tho body exposed beyond Wednes-
day afternoon. The statement was also
made tonight, but was not official that
the coffin would be closed within few
hours. and that thus the usual ceremony
of worshippers filing past kissing the
uncovered foot OF the dead Pope would
be eliminated.
The removal OF the body from the
throne room 10 the basilica this morn
ing was the occasion of an imposing
ceremony. The bier was held shoulder
high by ushers clad in costumes of
Scarlet, fianked by Noble Guards The
Sacred College followed, headed by the
dean. Cardinal Vannutelli each taking
his position according to his rank. Car
dinal Gasparri walked considerable
distance behind the dean, although oc
cupying the post OF Camerlingo, or head
of the Roman Church during the inter-
regnum.
Public Sees Bier.
On entering the main door OF st.
Peters the funeral party was received
by the clergy of the great basilica. who
escorted the cortege down the main cen
trail aisle TO a position In the center OF
the church just opposite the statue Of
1T. Peter. There absolution took place.
The bier was then raised aloft and was
passed into the chapel of the Holy Sac
yrhA tl,a Ito v,
body through the immense iron gates.
Participation OF the American Car
dinals in the conclave, the date for the
opening of which has been definitely
liked for February 2, Is still possible.
but is regarded as doubtful by the Sec
retariat of State. A cable message has
been received from Cardinal O'Connell of
Boston announcing that he was taking
passage for Rome tomorrow. while Car
dinal Dougherty has cabled that he will
Enot reach Philadelphia before Friday.
Mgr. Pizzardo, who is Acting Secre-
tary of State. said to-day that Cardinal
O'Connell had a possible chance OF
reaching Rome in time, providing the
conclave does not choose a new Pope
en- the first ballot, but he thought that
Cardinal Dougherty's chances were very
slim unless the session of the conclave
was long and arduous and many ballots
were required.
Asked concerning the possibility OF
postponing the conclave to permit the
American Cardinals 20 attend. the Sec
retary replied that the constitution
would have to be amended for that pur-
pose. as the conclave must be called
within ten days after the death of the
Pope.
The certificate of Pope Benedict's
death was registered at the city's bu-
reau of deaths to-day. 1t reads:
The undersigned physician hereby
states that at o'clock A. NJ. January
%. His Holiness Pope Benedict XIV,
Giacomo della Chiesa. expired following
an attack of broncho-pneumonia brought
on by influenza.
''Dr. RAFTAELE BATTrsrINL" :,
In Records of Rome.
The certificate Will be entered In the
records of the capital at 10 80 o'clock
Tomorrow morning In practically the
same manner as for all Roman citizens.
In view. however. of the late Pope's high
rank. the Mayor himself will make the
entry. The legal adviser Of the Vatican
viii be present and the witnesses will
be Prince Colonna. assistant TO the Pom
tiflcal throne; Marquis Sacchetti, grand
equerry; Prince Massimo, Vatican min
lister Of posts. and Prince Aldobrandini.
commander of the Noble Guard
Long before IL was announced that
the body OF the ex-Portiff could be
viewed by the public. large crowds had
gathered in front of st. Peters. await
ing an opportunity TO take a last look
at the Holy Father. Overcast skies. a
light rain and a chilling atmosphere ap-
parently had not dampened the ardor OF
the visitors. who came on foot. in car
nj ctr ror1fh fhf,c nd atffn
mobiles. Several thousand troops. made
up of Carabineers. infantry and Royal
Guards, lined the entrance TO the great
Christian shrine to facilitate the move
ment OF the multitude and to preserve
order.
Their presence was scarcely necessary
because the great streams OF the faith
ful who had waited in line were so inn
pressed by the solemnity OF the occasion
that they were exceptionally calm.
Among the vast concourse which pressed
forward at the right entrance 10 the
church, leading directly past the Chapel
OF tho Holy Sacrament. in which the
Pope's body rests, were groups of monks.
priests and Sisters of Charity in somber
raiment. some Of them weeping and some
reverently praying.
The Pontiff's body. clad in crimson
robes. rests on a catafalque only about
n yard from the immense iron CRATES at
the entrance Of the chapel At the main
entrance OF the Vatican. which adjoins
ST. Peters, also were gathere clusters
Of people. eager 70 catch a glimpse OF
the chamber in which his Holiness died.
Mingled among the crowds were enter
prising street vendors offering for sale
postcards and medals bearing the image
OF Benedict.
The Secretariate Is flooded with thou
sands Of messages OF coincidence and
sympathy from all corners OF the globe,
signed by the heads of the greatest
states and the humblest parish priests,
written practically In all modern Ian
guages. and many Of them In Latin.