The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-13

U8 Hotd WltnM 10 ouyS VI EOPS death. and there was some question whether Cardinal Copello of Argen. tina and Cardinal Lerne of Brazil could attend. They are due ct Naples March l.
 Monsignor Angelo perugini, secre- kary of the Latin letter, was delegat- ed to euiogize the late Pope at the last of the nine-day series of masses, and Monsignor Antonio Baci to make the funeral oration after Mass of the Holy Ghost.
 Tremendous Crowds Pass Bier
 Many offices were forced to close today because employees took an iirl- official holiday in their deternnina- tion to pay homage to the late Pope. Many thousands could not get into the chapel yesterday, after waiting for hours. because of the tremendous crowd. So manageable did 1t be- come that after troop cordons had been broken, the doors of St. Peters were closed at p. m. instead of 2 !, D. m. It was planned to keep the church and chapel open until ' o'clock tonight and close 1t at noon tomorrow, ...
 The inner coffin in which the body will repose Is of light cypress, lined with white silk and decorated with gold. It will be put in a lead box weighing 800 pounds, the cover embossed with cross, a skull and crossed bones and the papal coat of arms. An outer coffin is of thick elm, ' feet 4 inches long, 3 feet wide and 9 i-2 feet deep, embossed with a cross and coat of arms.
 Possible Successors
 Italians, discussing possible suc- cessors the 262d Pope, eemed to exclude the idea that any but an Italian could or should be elected. For instance, the well informed newspaper, Popolo Di Roma, dis- cussing the possibilities. named only Italians Cardinal Nasalli Rocca, Archbishop of Bologna; Cardinal Iayitrano Archbishop of Palermo; Cardinal Tedeschini, Cardinal Mar masgi, Cardinal Maglione, Cardinal Massimi, President of the committee for oriental qualification, and Card tnal Piazza.
 1t was emphazied that all lists were purely speculative. There is a saving, for which there IS consider able basis, that who enters the con- clave as Pope comes out Cardinar' That candidates who are most prominently mentioned are not elected. Though there were more than 40 Cardinals here when the Pope died--come for the celebration of the Lateran signing and the l7th year of Pope Plus reign--several of them flastened home as soon as he died. This was because tradition holds that whoever Is elected Pope must remain at the Vatican and re- nounce all thought of returning home.
 Hence some of the Cardinals went at once to wind up their personal affairs.
 Discuss Elective Conclave
 After the nine days of masses for a dead Pope, the cardinals begin ex- changing visits and discussing the elnctive conclave. Then names Of Yaen who will be voted for-and will bo most likely eliminated in favor of a compromise candidate-are mentioned. It was suggested that this conclave might last four or five days, during which the cardinals will be completely isolated from the worls.
 News that United States and South American cardinals were coming to the conclave caused a most favorable impression in church circles. It was said that their pres- ence in such times as this was es- scrtial. The feeling was that this couclave might be difficult one be- cause of the delicate international situation. The presence of the American cardinals, particularly, 1t was said, would be valuable because of discussion whether the new pope ought to be @ religious" rather than a "pohticap one-that is, one who would steer a middle course in all international questions.
 Routine Duties
 For the present, the cardinals were busy with routine duties incl dent to the death of a pope. They were receiving official deputations with condolences, taking care of thousands of telegrams and other messages, and making the decisions necessary to the circumstances.
 Representatives of the highest rlo- bility of Europe and people almost in rags were in the procession which filed slowly past the crimson cata- faique on whcih the Popes' body lay.
 The press of the crowd was indes- cribable. Many people fainted up- right. because there was not room for them to fall down.
 It took me two hours and 45 min utes to reach the bier from the time Joined the procession in the square. Pouring over the Fiber bridges, people massed in line half a mile from the square. Special traf- fic policemen kept them moving. In St. Peters Square, 1000 soldiers il, steel helmest and full fighting kit including rifles and knapsacks were not sufficient to control the crowds as they stood forming a double cor don between which people passed.
 As the crowd converged on the square, peddlers sold pictures of the pope and pamphlets containing his biography.
 Those Standing In Line
 Fixed inextricably in the crowd as ws went up the steps into St. Peters found in front of me a woman with work reddened hands, her clothes ragged. She was too poor te own e hat and wore handker- chies on her head. Beside me was an American tourist, carrying Q movie camera. Behind me were Q [ well dressed husband and wife, each carrying baby. On one side was @ brown robed monk with shaver head.
 The crush grew worse as we moved slowly forward. When we reached the chapel of the Blessed Sacra. ment, it was impossible to move ar arm or bend leg. The poor woman