New Britain herald., 1922-01-25
Only Cardinals, Diplomat ic Corps Members And Representatives Of Roman Aristocracy Will Attend
As Time for Meeting of Sacred College Draws Near Cardinal Mercier of Belgium Is Looked Upon
 As Possible Dark Horse"

Rome, Jan. 25. (By Associated Press)-The funeral of Pope Benedict will be held at o'clock Thursday af- ternoon. it was announced at the Vatican this morning.
 The college of Cardinals further decided that the funeral ceremony should be attended only by Cardinals, members of the diplomatic corps and representatives of Roman aristocracy.
 The body of the Pontin will be placed in the sepulchre in the left lateral nave of the basilica.
 Despite the indictment weather to- day crowds continued to flock to St. Peters, drawn largely by expectancy that the funeral would occur this af- ternoon as up to this morning it had been left indefinite whether the burial would occur today or tomorrow.
 Half Million View Body.
 Pilgrims continued to arrive to- day from all parts of Italy to attend the funeral Of the late Pope Bene- dict and were camping in the open air before St. Peters in the hope of getting glimpse of the body More than half million persons have filed past the catafalque in the two days on which the body has been ex- posed. the crowds, though orderly, taxing the gendarmes charged with keeping them in line.
 Cardinal Mcrcicr Mentioned
 Meanwhile the foreign Cardinals continue to arrive for the concIaye of the Sacred College at which the new PontiG will be elected. Cardinal Mercier Of Belgium. who is looked upon as somewhat of a dark horse" In the election. is expected in time for the funeral. It ia acknowledged on all sides that he is certain to poll more votes on the first ballot than any other foreign cardinal.
 Interest in the election centers greatly upon its possible effect on the relations between the Vatican and the represented as being supported by the grohf favoring a rapprochement, while Cardinal Gasparri, now acting head Of the church, favors continu- ance of Benedict's policies of toler- ance without recognition. Cardinal Merry del Val, also mentioned as a possible choice, is supported by the faction favoring absolute separation. This group is thought to have more than majority in the conclave A two-thirds vote, however, is neces- sary for election.
 British Cardinal Arrives.
 Cardinal Bourne, archbishop of Westminster arrived this morning from England and visited St. Peter's where he rendered homage to the dead Pope.
 The statement has appeared in several newspapers that Crown | Prince Humbert visited the cathedral yesterday to view the body. This is semi officially denied through the Stefani News Agency.
 Cardinals On the Way.
 Warsaw, Jan. 25.--Cardinals Ka- kowiski, of Warsaw, and Dalber of Posen, left today for Rome to be present at the concave of the Sacred College which will elect a successor to Pope Benedict. Considerable in tereS has been aroused by dispatches from Rome suggesting the possbil- Jl, former nuncio to Poland, who brought. the Pope's greetings to the Polish government after the armistice.
 Paris, Jan. 25.-Cardinal Dubois. archbishop of Paris, and Cardinal Lucon, archbishop of Rheims, left to- lay for Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Benedict and later the concJave 0 elect his successor. Brussels, Jan. 25.-Cardinal Mer-