THE LATE POPE PIUS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2236, 24 August 1914, Page 8

THE LATE POPE PIUS.

LAST EFFORTS FOR PEACE. By Telegraph—Press'. Association-CoryriEht . rTlmes" and Sydner "Sun" ScrTiccß.) . ■■■ . '-!.',Rotne,'-August 21. Hie newspaper -."Tribiina" says that during his last few.days tho Popo dictated inuumerablo . telegrams in- tne hope of stopping tho war. rupturo of pcoco destroyed'the-last..strength, remaining to him. ■ V : THE NEW POP!?., ■"■'.. , London, 21; Neuter's agent at Rome sa-vs the Pope left nothing to his family'except an insurance of■ fifty -thousand,francs' iu favour of his sistersThere is much speculation -regarding his successor. Since Cardinal Rampolla's death tho Cardinals have not divided into prearranged groups, the first time- for many years that they have, not done so, and will enter the Conclave with entirely.o'peiuminds. , • yesterday.'s'referencbs in '..-,...- -;. THE CHURCHES-. • ■ There was an atmosphere of the deepest mourniug in all the Roman Catholic churches of the city yesterday in respect'to ■ the death of Pope Pins tho Tenth. The interiors of .the churches wero draped in black, while, at every service feeling ■ and touohing reference was made to the- death of-the Pope. In 'cases whore-the duration of the servico ,permitted, beautiful panygerics were preached. At'the conclusion- of most of-the services the Dead March was played, the congregations standing the .while. . ■-.:.-' - . • '

'. At eleven o'clock Mass at St. Mary of the Anpels , -. Cliurch, Boulcott Street, tho Roy. Father ; O'Coniiell preached with- feeling •• 'on • the late. Pope. '"Throughout' y the "'lloman Catholic world to-day," said Father O'Coniiell, ■"three-.hundred, millions of .people , are bowed down with:-grief at the death of our Holy Father :J?d'j)o.:piusCX. And these three hundred-niinibns of-Catholics are-rais-God in fervent prayer foritliei repose of tho soul of-him who.is 'riomore;' Biitnot only'are-these threo/unndred. million people conoerned at the i'eath of their sovereign Pontiff, but. twice that number or more, are bowed ; down , in .respectful sympathy with Roman-Catholics, all the, world over .iiirthe"' deatliO'of. our illustrious father. I do not intend to address you at length this morning, iny heart nnd your hearts are top filled with sorrow..l cannot allow this occasion ,to pass, however, without .referring' to both, the death of our Holy Eather and tho war, tho terrible disastefithat hae come over the world." Father O'Connell then in a brief 'sumniary>;rcforred touchingly 'to the main points'; in the late Pope's Pontifical.. career. 'IThe preacher -topk his' hearers back ■ to "that eventful day when 'the supreme Pontificate was to Cardinal Sarto. by theSSsolemn conclave of the Fathers of tho CSrarch assembled for the purpose. 'WhenfCardinal Sarto'was asked if he woiild.'iaccopt' the position of supremo commander of the .faithful he had replied in the following beautiful words: "I have asked of God' to take this chalice from me, but I pray 'that not my will but His! bo done." Cardinal. Sarto accepted- the supreme honour. Father O'Connell dwelt on the two great qualities'of the late- Pontiff, strength and: gentleness,' aiicl of Pop'o Pius's holy life 1 spent in., the service of his Divine Master, the. great ■manner in which ho set ■about.-ruling- the. Church, '-hjs'cx* treme gentleness'arid love for children, and all.liis great virtues and .characteristics. From tho very limited; amount of/information they had received ■„ by 'cable,'continued tJie preacher, they saw how the late-Pope's death-had been hastened by the terrible war. They had also, read how ho had given :that exhortation, to the,world on the eve of his death, ■■ charging Roman . Catholics to approach the Throne of Grace and pray Godr speedily to remove tho evil causes of'"war and" give those' who ruled thoiights of peace and not affliction. They had seen; too, Jiow the Pope had tribd to etopthewar. , How different this, was; commented the preacher,-from ancient times, how by a word the Pope could' avert such calamities. "If we wish to show our respect, then, to our late' Pontiff ■" said Father O'Connell, "it. is -to. fulfil his. last- wish and pray "that peace may be restored, and for thoso afflicted. Wo. must pi'ay ,;that Jesus Christ will raise lip a new sovereign Pontiff .liken to those . who liave preceded him," said the preacher ■in conclusion. "Wo must pray that the election will take place speedily, and that'the sovereign Pontiff raised .to represent Jesus Christ.. will worthily carry out His will, and,that through Him peace may be restored to the world." ',■-"■.'

' Similar..reference was made at .the Basilica, St! '. Joseph's Churchy Buckle Street, St'.V Anne's Church, New town, St.: Gerard's Clrarch, -..Hawker. Street, and other suburban churches-.'. • ■ -.':

It was /announced.' that, there, would be solemn:-Requiem Masses at .St. Mary of the Angels Church, Bouleott Street to-morrow morning,'and at the Basilica on Wednesday ■■morning. At tho latter, service the officiating- clergy will sing tho service, and. bo a Existed by a massed choir of masculine ivoices from all the Catholic choiri itt Wellington. ■ . ; . : '