"SEAT VACANT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 9

"SEAT VACANT."

CHURCH GOVERNMENT First Funeral Rights Begin At Pontifical Palace. GUARD WITH DRAWN SWORDS. Independent Cable Service. (Received 10.30 a.m.) VATICAN' CITY, February 10. S® C L ardinals had fi led past hk h a i Sl f. °V h * P °l\ e and k^ed M • ■^ re; f ec ' ; °t* Ceremonies, Monsignor Respighi, dressed his Holiness in pontifical robes.

The embalming of the bodv will take probably two days, and the public will ™ e " beable to Pay their last respects at St. Peter's.

An official announcement states that following the death the Pontiff seat was declared vacant. During this period the government of the Church wi.l be entrusted to the Secretary of State, Cardinal Pacelli.

The first funeral rites were becrun at the Pontifical Palace as dawn "broke. "°P e 3 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 wrapped in black and gold cloth and slswly carried downstairs to the Throne Room, thence to the Vatican 13asilica of St. Peter's.

A guard took up watch with drawn swords. Funeral hangings supplaiited the triumphal decorations for celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Concordat to-morrow.

Immense crowds gathered in front of the basilica, including students from international pontifical universities.

King Victor's Master of Ceremonies notified him of the death early in the morning.

The Sacred College of Cardinals will meet daily at 10 a.m. for the next 20 days, the "open seat" period, thus permitting time for the Cardinals to come from all parts of the world to select the new Pope. ■

The burial will take place in ten days.

MANY TRIBUTES. "Man Of Sincere Piety," Says Anglican Primate. HITLER'S AND DUCE'S MESSAGE (Received 11 a.m.) LONDON, February 10. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang, paid a tribute to the Pope's unwearying efforts for peace. He said he was a man of sincere piety and bore immense burdens with dignity and courage.

Signor Mussolini and Count Ciano visited the Vatican to pay their last respects.

Signor Mussolini," in a message to Cardinal Pacelli, said: "The disappearance of the Pope of conciliation means mourning for the Church and the Italian people. I offer the condolences of myself and the Fascist Government."

Herr Hitler sent a message of con dolence.

Flags are being flown half mast in Rome, Berlin and Paris.

The remains of the Pope will lie in state in Sistine Chapel for three days. All public spectacles are forbidden. The Italian Court will go into mourning for eight days.

A Dublin message says the Dail adjourned during mourning for the Pope. Tributes were paid by Mr. de Valera and Mr. T. W. Cosgrave, Leader of the Opposition.

N.Z. CEREMONIES.

FORM NOT YET RECEIVED,

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

CHRISTCHURCH, Friday.

The time of the ceremonies in connection with the death of the Pope and the form which they will take will be advised by the Apostolic Delegate to Australia and New Zealand, Archbishop Panico, said Bishop Brodie, senior bishop of the Catholic Church in New Zealand in the absence of Archbishop O'Shea, the Metropolitan.

Such ceremonies, he said, usually synchronised throughout the world as far as possible with the time of interment in Rome. Until advice was received from Archbishop Panico it would not be possible to announce the time or form of the observances.

RECALLED GREATEST.

POPE'S LIFE AND WORK.

(Received 12 noon.)

Paying a tribute to the Pope, the Apostolic Delegate, Dr. Panico, in a broadcast last night, said that Pius recalled the greatest Popes in _ history in his understanding of diplomatic movements, often very complex, and in his knowledge of social questions. He recalled Leo XIII. in his tremendous activity, and in the erection of monuments he was like Sixtus V. In his ardour and passion while defending the rights of the Church when it was assailed or downtrodden he made one think of Gregory XII.

EFFORTS FOR PEACE.

WORK TO SAVE CIVILISATION,

(From Our Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Friday. "His reign covered a period of change unequalled in the world's history," said the Rt. Rev. Monsignor T. F. Connelly, administrator of the Archdiocese of Wellington, during the absenee overseas of the Metropolitan, Archbishop O'Shea, when commenting to-night on the death of the Pope.

"Posterity cannot forget his tireless efforts for peace, and his unrelenting endeavour to "save our civilisation through the virtues of Christian justice and charity. While Catholies will mourn the death of a father, all Christians will thank God for the benefits of his reign." —