ELECTING A NEW POPE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 4, 22 August 1914, Page 8

ELECTING A NEW POPE.

Tho greatest secrecy, as well as tho utmost solemnity, is observed when the Cardinals of tho Church, of Rome are called upon to elect one of their number as Pope.

Immediately after the Pope is buried there is a gathering togothei of tho Cardinals, or conclave, as it is called. Incidentally it might he mentioned that the word “conclave” is derived from tho Latin cum clave, and literally means an apartment which can he closed with one key.

Once gathered together, the Cardinals, like the jury in a murder case, are not permitted to leave the Vatican until they have selected from among themselves a successor to the Papal chair. The ceremony of election observed to-day is the safne as that inaugurated by Gregory X. six hundred years ago. The Cardinals assemble in what is known as the Sistine Chapel. All the entrances are walled-up with the exception of one great door kncAvn as the “Sala llegia.” The greatest precautions 'are observed that no persons except the Cardinal's remain in the building during the conclave, and a very careful search is made, not only by officials of the Vatican, but also by the Swiss guards, who maintain a vigil over the only door leading to the building. Even the food is carefully examined to make sure that no communication enters the Vatican.

The actual election ceremony is Quito simple. Each Cardinal writes in a disguised hand on a ballot paper tito name of his particular selection ior the high office, which he then deposits in a chalice or urn placed upon a special altar. Before ‘doing so, however, he turns to his colleagues and solemnly swears bo has voted according to his Jinn belief, without fear or favor, and in the true interests of the Church of Rome only. There are three official scrutators, who, when all the Cardinals have voted, and alter a short prayer, take all the ballot-papers from the chalice and re. cl aloud to the conclave the names recorded. The number of votes required to elect a Pope is two-thirds of the ballot.

Immediately tlio two-thirds majority iias recorded for any candidate, a boll is rung by the junior Cardinal Deacon. In response the secretary of the Sacred College enters with the master of ceremonies, after which the Cardinal Doan approaches the Pope that is to ho, and inquiries whether he accepts the papacy. Receiving an answer in the affirmative, ho next inqaovs wJmt name the new pontiff intends to ho known bv.

It should be mentioned that the mu :e usually selected is that of_tho Dope by whom the Pope-elect was created a Cardinal, and as soon as this is announced the senior Cardinal goes outside and thus ao.dressos the waitiag crowd: “i announce to yon a great joy. We have as Pope the Most Eminent oi the Holy'Roman Church, who has taken the name of .”

Meanwhile, the new dignitary has been conducted to the rear of the high altar, when ho is speedily arrayed in the vestments of the pontificate. He then takes his place in the chair of ' to ii front of the high altar, and is ready to receive the greetings of 'he D'crod College. Each of the Lardinab kisses him on the foot, the bind, and the mouth, and that previous symbol, the ring of the Fisherman, is placed on his finger by the Cardinal Camerlingo.