THE DEAD POPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 February 1939, Page 5

THE DEAD POPE

OBSERVANCES IN ROME THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND PASS BIER. ELABORATE COFFINS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ROME, February 13. The public were again admitted to St. Peter’s at 7 a.m. today. 300,000 having passed the bier on Sunday. Three coffins are being provided for the Pope’s remains. The innermost will be of cypress wood and will be enclosed in a lead casket weighing 880 lb. on which the skull and crossbones and the papal arms will be embossed. The outer coffin will be of thick elm, 7 ft. long, 2ft. wide, and 2lft. deep. When the remains of the Pope are embalmed, the heart will be removed and enclosed in an earthen jar and sent to the Church of St. Vincent Anastasius, which preserves the hearts o 1 Popes. Professor Mistrucci, sculptor took a death mask of the Pope. ROME OPINION Nt)N-ITALIAN PONTIFF. "IMPOSSIBLE.” ROME, February 13. The "Gazette del Popolo” says that a non-Italian Pope is impossible because of the prevailing international tension, though it admits that the influence of foreign cardinals will be stronger than ever before. The paper declares that the Conclave of Cardinals will choose a churchman rather than a diplomat.

ROTARY TRIBUTE ADDRESS BY THE DISTRICT GOVERNOR. "PRINCE OF PEACE HAS PASSED AWAY.” (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 13. Before the ordinary business at the luncheon meeting of the Auckland Rotary Club the New Zealand district governor, Mr G. W. Hutchinson, paid a tribute to the memory of the Pope and, at his suggestion, members stood in silence for a few moments as a mark of respect and sympathy. Mr Hutchison said: "It is an axiom in our organisation that Rotary knows no religious denominational adherence and yet we have in our ranks men of every religious creed. Among those in large numbers are members of the Roman Catholic Church, and it is fitting that to them Rotary should express its deep sympathy at the passing of the Pope. "Not only are we stirred by our sympathy for these fellow Rotarians and all people of their faith but we grieve also that there should be lost fn a world stricken with uncertainty a steadfast leader whose life was devoted to peace.- On one occasion I was privileged to attend a ceremony in St. Peter's in Rome performed by his Holiness, and one could not but be impressed by his seraphic personality. "His term has been marked by many trials and there have been occasions when his state has been the subject of attack by atheism, yet, when he has felt constrained to voice his protest, he has done so more in sorrow than in anger and always with impressive dignity. At a time when man's greatest need is peace, men must mourn that a prince of peace has passed away.”