Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-23

morning there was practically no
movement through these apartments
and corridors, save an occasional Visit
by DR.. Battistini. 1t was not until
the Pope actually passed away taht
stir to call the pontifical family was
made.
knsel in Prayer
The formal announcement of the
Pope's passing was the occasion for a
scene of deep emotion. All those
present in the ante chamber wept, and
the prelates knelt in fervent prayer.
Shortly afterward Cardinal Gasparri
proceeded with the formal taking over
of temporary charge Of the affairs of
the church. He will be the nominal
head of the church until new Pope
is elected.
Throughout the night small groups.
including newspaper correspondents
from several countries, clustered in
st. Peters square. Everyone leaving
the Vatican was anxiously questioned
by those who kept constant vigil. To-
ward $50 o'clock it was known that
after six the Swiss guards inside the
Vatican could be seen through the
balance door. They were knecling.
few minutes later the door was shut.
and thus the Popes death was an
nounced to those who watched.
Crowd Increases
The Royal Guards then cleared
space before the gate OF the Vatican.
allowing only those connected with
the papal household to pass. Although
it was still dark the crowds began to
grow in size, and automobiles and
carriages began arriving in ever-in-
| creasing numbers. Towards seven
o'clock the bells Of st. Peters tolled
| slowly the signal that the Pontnff had
| passed away. Masses were celebrated
| at various affairs in the Vatican, for
now numerous devoute eyes of the
| throngs in the public square turned
| toward the Popes chamber, where the
| blinds were half drawn.
| The first person, outside Of the i'm
mediate pontifical circle, to be inform
| ed of the Popes death was Premier
| Bonomi. who in turn communicated
| the news to the king and other hgh
| dignitaries of state as we'll as to the
| governors of the colonies. For the
first time in the history of relations
between the Italian government and
the Vatican. the government instruct
ed that flags be half-mastcd on all
| government Offices out of respect to
! the memory of the pontff.
Stately Ceremonies
Already everyone is recalling the
ceremonies of stately pomp OF which
| the dead pontiff will be the center dur
| ing the next few days. beginning with
! the gathering of the cardinals in the
! death chamber in order to call the
silent figure three times by the Chris
tian name before pronouncing him Of
hcially dead.
This will be followed by the historic
ceremony of removing the fisherman's
| ring, which will be drawn off the
| Popes finger by Cardinal Gasparri,
who will destroy it and have it reset
/ for Benedicts successor. Then Will
follow the elaborate preparations for
/ Cmbalming the body and for the three
| days ceremony during which the body
! will lie in state in st. Peters chapel
| before burial.
Speculation Over Successor
Speculation is rife concerning a
successor Cardinal Gasparri is
among those prominently mentioned
although the election of Papal Sec
retary of state is almost without
| precedent.
| The college OF Cardinals is under
stood to be divided into two fairly
le1ual groups on the subject Of Pope
Henedicts successor. Two groups
represent those who wish the next
| Pope to come from outside of Italy
and those who think he should be a
native Italian. The election of for
/ eisn Cardinal. it would seem. must be
eliminated, although certain members
of the Sacred College. like Cardinal
/ Merry Del Val. a native of Spain
| do not hide their sympathies for such
an event. Among the native Italians
| Cardinal Maffi. of Pisa. is the most
strongly supported in Italian ccnters
but his advanced modern ideas are
! iikeiy " arouse opposition. par'.'"-
| larry from the group headed by Car
! dinal Merry del Val.
| 4 leading figure in this group Is
Cardinal De I.ai. 1t is considered
possible that because of these two
oposing groups Cardinal Gasparri
! may be chosen as a compromise be-
| tween them.
| Among the Italian cardinals living
outside of the country. one of the
most eminent is Cardinal Ratti, for
mer nuncio to Poland.
! All speculatiOns. however are has
cd on very slight data. because of
the suddenness of Pope Benedict's
death.