THE FINAL SCENES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20729, 13 February 1939, Page 7

THE FINAL SCENES

THE POPE’S LAST WITHES HEART TO BE REMOVED “STILL MUCH TO DO” (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) VATICAN CITY, Feb. 11 It is disclosed by Professor Bianchi, heart specialist, that the Pope, on recovering from a heart attack on Wednesday, pleaded to be kept, alive until at least after to-day’s ceremonies in celebrations of the 17th anniversary of his coronation. He said he dearly wished to be present even if he could not participate actively. When the Pope's remains are embalmed his heart will be removed enclosed in an earthen jar and sent to the Church of st. Vincent Anastasius, which preserves the hearts of the Popes. Professor Mistruc-ci, sculptor, took a death mask. His Holiness prefaced hls last words with the sentence: “We have still so many things to do.” He passed away to a low murmur of Psalms, a prelate uttering: “Depart, O Christian Soul.” Verification of Death Dignitaries then assembled for the ceremony of the verification of death. Taking a small sliver hammer, Cardinal

Pacelll lifted the veil and struck His Holiness three times gently on the forehead, repeating each time his Christian name, Achille. He paused for an answer and then turned to the dignitaries and said in Latin: “Truly the Pope is dead.” No member of the Pope's family was present. As dawn broke over the Eternal City, lights were turned out and the bells of St. Peter's began to toll. After the Cardinals had filed past the bedside of the Pope and kissed his hand, the Prefect of Ceremonies, Monsignor Itespighi, dressed His Holiness in pontifical says the Independent Cable Service.* Respects from Public The embalming of the body will take probably two days, and the public will then be able to pay their last respects in St. Peter’s. An official announcement states that after the death of the Pontiff the seat was declared vacant. During this period the government of the Church will be entrusted to the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pacelli. The first funeral rites were begun at the Pontifical Palace as dawn broke. The Pope’s body was dressed in full ceremonial white robes, with the head covered by a white skull 'cap, on which the high pontifical mitre was placed. The body was then laid on a stretcher draped in black and gold cloth an£ slowly carried downstairs to the Throne Room, thence to the Vatican basilica of St. Peter’s. r The Pope’s body was removed today from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's, escorted by a brilliant procession. The bier was placed before the Altar of Confession immediately under the dome. Monsignor Pietro Pizzani conducted the service. The body, after beincr blessed. was carried to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, where it was surrounded by 16 torch bearers. The first contingent of Rome's hundreds of thousands of the faithful filed past the sloping catafalque amid choral music and kissed the Pontiff’s feet. but. the rush was so great that after a quarter of an hour the doors were closed. The remains of the Pope will lie in state for three day?. All public spectacles are forbidden. The Italian Court will go into mourning for eight days. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS TO TAKE PLACE TO-MORROW ELECTION OF SUCCESSOR (United Tress Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 13, 11.10 a m.) VATICAN CITY, Feb. 12 It Is officially announced that the burial of the late F*ipe will take place in the evening of February 14, and the election conclave will meet between February *26 and March 1. Nine funeral Masses will be said during the nine days’ funeral ceremonies, which were begun to-day. Members of the Chapter of St. Peter's will conduct six, the Cardinals attending. In accordance with his own wish the Pope's tomb in the vault at the Vatican will be next to that of Pius X. BRITISH SYMPATHY POPE’S COURAGE AND HUMANITY KING AND MR CHAMBERLAIN (United Press Assn.—Flee. TpT. rnnyrlsht) LONDON, Feb. 11 His Majesty the King and the Prime

Minister, Mr Chamberlain, have expressed their condolences in connection with the death of fhe Pope. Cardinal Hinsley, Archbishop of Westminster, leaves London to-mor-row for Rome to take part in the funeral ceremonies and attend the Conclave of Cardinals for the election of the new Pope. The Apostolic Delegate to the I'nited Kingdom. Monsignor William Godfrey, arrived in London last night from Rome He said that when ho saw the Pope only a few days ago His Holiness expressed pleasure at what Mr Chamberlain had said of him in the House of Commons. On that occasion Mr Chamberlain told the silent House how deeply he had been affected by the Pope's words and the courage and humanity which animated his bearing and outlook.