The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, August 20, 1899, Page 23

THE SUNDAY CALY. 25 nd the HEN the Pope dies the Camer- lingo gently strikes the head of the dead Pontiff with a wooden et, calling Him by name to verify his death It is a mere C » coming from the old idea of cath of the Pope, and has ny people be abso- the F takes place. he offices of an un- his soul. d in The d Basi- nd all R t out for the Father of all ice of the cele- the 1ses of the world are only red with the 1 Our own hurch even .the 1 of the So s the elec Cardinals a: that decides who it is 1 their v tha t 1s to be - other in- dispositl eeeds, and the . St walt any inal arrive after 1 he has a right > then In slemn oath on the that refer . The gislated on election of clave are Ring the Holy the master sel n of to a close. On the sec- 15 officers of the Pontifi- ) their. respects to confirmation in d the next three to the different ed in the con- y the cells that y llotted to 3 1 and his il during the whole When the eclection takes place either ican palace. inal is now in the of the Government and the resi- nce of the present King will preclude > next election being held at the Quir- Pope Piux IX was elected at the al, while Pope Leo XIII was elect- ed at the Vatican. Should the Pope die in any other city than Rome-the election can take place in that city. As Pope Leo has remained at the Vatican as a prisoner since his election, the Vatican will in all probability be the places of the next elec- tion. Agaln, the Vatican contalns 1100 rooms, and there is a very spacious hall in the Vatican set apart and fitted up for this special purpose for the election of ha be clave. Oh sixth each Cardinal is to oc t is J 4 (iAo o 1 i H "-“5&- ff¢§xl:' e /4 1y fi"?’\’fl‘;‘”'zm, L W i it T { AU J gL vl The Election and Consecration of the Sovereign Pontiff by the College of Cardinals. By Father Charles Murry Browne. Latin on the solepin duties of the con- clave, and they go in procession to the piace where the conclave is to meet. The papal choir, ¢t of the best male volces is in atténd- 1ce, and they sing the ‘“Veni Cre- v When' the Cardinals assemble the chapel the bulls are once again read, and again take the oath to conscie rve the canons reg- ulating An addre deli ered by the ( an exhorta- tion to do thei iously. Up to this time the Car¢ commu- th the outside world. They re- , transact busin . but ke of the midnight bell the er of ceremonies rings a silver bell, all who are not of the conclave re- are finally and sol¢ nd no one is allowed to T except the Cardinals who and tire. per- in_coming from for- h Cardinal is allowed ¢ two members of his household in LA Al = in their selection of a successor to St. Peter. This assembly of Cardinals is the most august sembly in the world, and is the only assembly that is known by the word conclave. In the veins of these Cardinals flows the purest and richest and noblest blood vn earth. They are the sons of the old Romans, descended from the conquerors of the world, heirs of the Sen- ators of old Rome who made and unmade nat The cells in which the Cardinals are to dwell during elections are twenty a feot sq wenty feet high. The cells of wrdinals who have been clected to. office by the late Pope are decorated with violet tapestry, while the cells of the older Cardinals are covered with green or red. The cell is divided into two compartments, one for the Cardinal and the other for his secretary. A Car- dinal of pri ely rank may have three cells and two sceretaries for personal at- tendants. When all sembled within the windows and all entrances to the con- i — Crowd Watching for Smoke From the thé Pope. Each Cardinal is allowed two rooms, called cells, one for himself and one for his secretary. During these days, and up to this time, the usual everyday of the Cardinals’ lives goes on. Min and Embassadors come to transact business with the vari- ous Cardinals. They stand before them with uncovered head and in the same manner as before the Pope himself, since the Cardinals have now assumed supreme power in the church. Only one Cardinal responds to the questions asked by the representatives of the varfous Govern- ments, namely, the dean of the Sacred College. Finally a sermon is delivered in personal attendance upon him. These are called conclavists. A number of other at- tendants are also allowed inside the con- clave, viz., a carpenter, a mason, a sac- ristan, a friar or monk to hear confes- sions, a number of barbers, eight or ten porters and several other domestics to do common service to the whole body of Car- dinals. The word ‘“conclave” comes from the fact of closing the door with -a key. ““Clavis” in Latin means a key. The word conclave refers to the inclosure as well as to the body of Cardinals in session. All secular influence ceases for good, so as to leave the Cardinals untrammeled }\.\ IR Chimney. clave are closed. There is only one door to the conclave, and this is locked with a double key, one on the outside and one on the inside. The governor, who is a Cardinal appointed by the Sacred Col- lege, holds one key on the inside and the marshal, who is a lay official, on the out- side, is the custodian of the other key. There are four apertures in the walls, called gates, through . which all their meals are passed and anything else that is absolutely required. All this is to avoid any communication with the outer world and to prevent fraud or political influence being used on the Cardinals in the casting of their vates. Tha outside halls are also ‘locked and the Cardinal Camerlingo keeps these keys. . Papal troops are drawn up in attendance and are in charge of one of the pringes of the house of Chigi, who also takes charge of some-of the outer keys and guards the conclave from violence. The most extraordinary precautions are taken to shut out intrigues and political influence. Each of the European nations naturally takes an interest in the election and zealously tries to have the election turn out to its own interest. All! these precautions are necessary to withstand any pressure that might be brought to bear on the conclave and to allow the Cardinals to vote for him who seems best fit before God to spiritually govern 260,- 000,000 of people, The whole building is searched to see there is no one there ex- cept those who have a right to be, and this search takes place twice every day. Even the food is searched for secret documents to see thit it contains no letters or ad- s or matters prejudicial.to the con- ntious and just election of the Pontiff. Any man in the Catholic church is eli- gible to the office of Pope, be he Cardinal or Bishop. priest or layman, married or single. The Cardinals are free in ' this matter, but from the time of Urban VI the custom has prevailed of electing a Cardinal, and an Itallan Cardinal at-that. In these United States the law obtains that he who is elected to the Presidency must be born in the States, but the Cath- olic church is still more democratic, for any man who is a Catholic s eligible to the Papacy. Only a pagan, a heretic or an excommunicated person 1s excluded from election. Should a married man be elected he would have to separate, like Peter of old, from his wife and receive holy orders and episcopal consecration E tual Ruler of 250,000,000 People. One. of th’e Chambers Prepared for the Cardinals. proclaimed him Pope. Thus Leo XIIT owes his election to quasi-inspiration. When the ballots are counted and no one has received a two-thirds vote the voting papers are taken to a fireplace and burned. The smoke ascending through a certain chimney is a sign to an immense concourse of people assembled outside for news of the election and to obtain the new Holy Father’s blessing, that the Car- dinals have not yet decided on any one for Pope. When they see the smoke they return to their homes, to come again In the evening or the morning, as the case may be. - Then the Cardinals retire to their apartments to await the next ballot. This is repeated each day till a Pops is elected. Before the votlng takes place a number of committees of Cardi- Conclave of Cardinals Voting in the Sistine Chapel. at the hands of the Bishop of Ostia; so that any man in the Catholic church may be a candidate for Pope. Nowadays an Italian Cardinal is usually elected because of the great interests of the church in the city of Rome. The immense property and wealth that has been accumulating for nineteen centuries in Rome seems to de- mand it. One visit to Rome will easily convince that great interests are at stake and that Rome is the only place for the Pope's residence, being the center of cult- ure, refinement and civilization. Naturally an Italian Pope prefers his own country and the city of Rome as his residence. For an Itallan turns to Rome as naturally as the magnet turns to the pole. Even the Italians of thi country long for the deep blue Italian sky and the balmy cli- mate of Italy, which is the most salubri- ousand enchantingcimateof any on earth. Again, -history tells us that the French- men who were elected to the papal chair returned to. France, bullt magnificent pal- aces and dwelt there, conducting the business of the church from the city of Avignon. But to-day these palaces are empty and of no value to the church since Pope Gregory returned to Rome from Avignon at the persuasion of St. Cather- ine of Sienna. The Pope has remained in Rome ever since. The voting in the conclave takes place in the chapel twice a day, morning and evening. Each Cardinal has a desk decor- ated with his coat of arms assigned to him. Immediately before the election be- gins an Augustinian monk celebrates mass. When the mass is concluded all the attendants withdraw, leaving the Cardi- nals severely alone. They then prepare to cast their first ballot. Two-thirds of the votes must be given by ballot to val- idly elect. When the Cardinals cannot agree they can select two Cardinals and leave the election of the Pope to them. This is called an election by compromise, and when all without delay proclaim a certain one for Pope, as if by inspiration, this is called an election by quasi-inspiration. Leo XIII was elected in this way. His election was due to Cardinal Antonelli. ‘While they could not.agree on a two-third ballet, Cardinal Antonelli, seelng that Cardinal Pecchi was gainigg in favor at each ballot, went over to him, knelt down and kissed his hand and saluted him as the Holy Father. The other Cardinals took in the situation and with one acclaim nals are chosen to inspect the votel, to revise the election and to certify to its legality and regularity. The ballots are printed on paper, and each Cardinal writes the name of his choice for Pope on the inside of the paper, folds it, seals it with his own seal, made for him and supplied for the occasion. An altar is erected at the end of the chapel and -a large gold chalice and paten are placed thereon. The inspectors of election take their place at the altar. The Car- dinal Bfshop of Ostia is the first to rise. He writes his name on his ballot in pub- lic at the center of the table, and ap- proaching the altar kneels, prays and ris- ing says, “I take Christ our Lord to wit- ness that I vote for the one whom in the sight of God I deem worthy, and I will do the same in case the accesus is used.” He then places the sealed ballot on the paten and allows it to fall into the chalice. The _Cardinals now approach in order of rank and vote after the same manner. The sick Cardinals send their votes through the committee appointed. The first Cardinal inspector covers the chalice with t and shakes it. The third Card in- spector counts the ballots and sees that they agree with the number of Cardinals present. If there is any discrepancy the ballots are burned and they begin the election anew. Three inspectors then read the names of each candidate aloud, so that each name be heard by all. Rach Cardinal writes the name so read at his own desk and keeps an account of the votes cast for each candidate. The ballots are then returned once again to the chal. ice. If two-thirds of the vote are given to any one person he becomes elected, but if the two-thirds are not given to any one and they cannot agree on any candidate they retire again to consider another can- didate for the next election. When two- thirds of the ballots are given to any one person he is declared Pope and the con- clave is over. The youngest Cardinal then rings a bell, calls all the Cardinals around the newly elected. The Cardinal dean asks him if he accepts the canonical election to the supreme pontificate; if ha says he accepts, forthwith he becomes Pope, head of the church, Bishop of Rome, Father of Christendom, Vicar of Christ and Sovereign Pontiff. Should he refuse, the chalr is still vacant and an- other election is in o d( Should he hesi- tate, he is asked three\times. On his ac- ceptance the Cardinal dean genuflects be- fore him, asking him by what name he shall be known to Christendom in the fu- ture, and by thjs name he is known ever after. The new Pope is taken to the al- tar, where he is clothed In the pure white robe of the Sovereign Pontiff. The di .tinguishing color of the Pope i{s white, of a Cardinal red, of a Bishop purple and of a priest black. Enthroned on the altar the Pope receives the obedience of all the Cardinals, the Cardinal chamberlain pla ing on his hand the Fisherman's Rir In the meantime the masons remove the wall under the arch over the balcony, and all go in procession to the balcony over the main entrance to the Vatican. There the Cardinal dean proclaims the election to' the people waiting outside. The fol- lowing Sunday is generally set apart for the coronation of the new Pope. He is carried:-by the highest nobility in proces- slon, the Card Archbishops, Bish S the Min mbassadors of for nations, pontifical army, whose ficers are nobles, composing the proces- The Stviss Guards do duty ing the procession. It enters € Peter’s, where for the first time the ne 1y elected Father of Christendom Vicar of Christ ascends the oldest most venerable throne in the world—the throne of Peter. From this throne h looks down uport his subjects scattered over the whole world. All nation: peoples are his. He reigns not alone sea to sea and shore to shore, but in the very hearts of the faithful also. never sets on t territory of Great Br aln; but neither sun nor moon ever set the Pope's subjects. - For Catholic means ubigul only death or re: tion can rone him. Here a touching ceremony takes place before his throne. Lest the Pope should be carried away by the power he wields and blinded by the gilded pageantry of the world, th master of ceremonies draws near to Pope and burns a little tow or flax on silver tray, repea three times transit gloria mundi” (thus, Hol all the glory of the world passes Solemn high mass is sung, during wh the Pope recei the pallium from Cardinal dean. The pallium was once distinguishing garment of the Jewish high priest. After mass the Pope goes to the balcony of St. Peter's, where his miter, which belongs to him as Bishop, is removed and the dean places. the tiara on the Pope’ head. The origin of the tiara is not clear- 1y historied. It is symbolic of his office as Pontiff, priest and king. It en- circled his honored brow for ages, wk every other monarch only wears for hi crown a single circlet of gold. I first circ! of the tiara is centered universal headship of the Catholic ¢ one fold and one shepherd. In the se the supremacy of jurisdiction as pas shepherd; and in the third circle is cen- tered the temporal dominion which Popes enjoyed over a tho Although- the tiara only dates 1340, yet the thing symbolized by it the the irch back to Chr ommission to Peter. The last act of the coronation of the is the taking possession of the ca of St. John Lateran, the oldest church in the world. Here the Popes 1ived for over a thousand years, but the Popes took up their abode at the V jean they still go to St. John's after their coronation to take pos ion of their cathedral. At the portal of St John Lateran 2 gold cross to the Pope to kiss presented with keys of the Bas key of which is of pure gold and t other of virgin silver. The vast prc sion takes its way to the large couscil hall made famous by Kings and emperors, men of letters and historic personages of past ages, and from this balcony the Pope addresses the people and distributes large alms. He then returns to the palace of the Vatican. Unless things change greatly before the next election it is probable that the next Pope vill pursue the policy of the present one and remain a prisoner within the walls of the Vatican, as a protest to the the arch-priest presents is He powers that be against the spoliati and robbery committed by the Itallan Government In papal territory. As in the District of Columbia off from the States of Maryland a ginia to form the independent t s0 as to render Congress absolutely from the State authority and influence, S0 also the Popes had from the remotest times a small territory around Rome which they governed as king. In’this way they were free from the in- fluence of the European powers. Such territory is absolutely necessary for Pope in governing 250,000,000 people. mail and telegraph are sacred thi and all such communications should bo free and guarded from the sacrilegious hands of the Italian Government. At the present time this is not so; he is often Futhlessly deprived of his rights. ‘Tis true his kingdom is not of this earth terrestrial, but a spiritual kingdom like unto the kingdom of Christ, who said “My kingdom is not of this world.” The Itallan law is “might is right,” and so the Pope is crippled in the administra- tion of his church. Temporal things don’t last always and it may be that the next political upheaval! in Europe may restore to the Popes their cherished rights and give them back what was theirs for over a thousand years—the papal dominions.