SOLEMN RITUAL

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20731, 15 February 1939, Page 7

SOLEMN RITUAL

FUNERAL OF THE POPE SOME IMPRESSIVE SCENES GATHERING OF CHURCHMEN United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Feb. 15, 11.20 a.m.) ROME, Feb. 14 With sombre ritual the body of the late Pope Pius was entombed in the crypt between the coflln Pius X. and the coffins of the Stuart Princes, one of whom was Bonnie Prince Charlie. The great bell of St. Peter's tolled while canons bearing flaming torches, the choir intoning the Miserere, and violet-robed cardinals and bishops walked in procession along the papal-guarded nave, with the body of the Pope borne to the altar beneath the seat of St. Peter. Here, in a chapel lighted by a hundred candles in two immense braziers, absolution was pronounced. Cardinals, bishops and the Pope’s relatives kissed the Pope’s feet. The body was laid by noble guards in a coffin of cypress wood and the major-domo covered the body with a red silk veil. A prelate read a Latin summary of the Pope’s life from a parchment, which was placed in the coflin. The latter was closed and sealed, and placed in a second lead coflln. This was sealed and placed in a coflin of polished elm, and borne to a position in the vaults, where the choir again sang the Miserere. Then all departed while the hymn “In Paradisum” was sung. Only one prelate was left to pray. Thereafter silence fell on the vast basilica, which will be unbroken until the entry of the new Pope. TRIBUTE IN AMERICA ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) NEW YORK, Feb. 13 The Congress adjourned out of respect to the late Pope, after passing a resolution paying tribute to him.