SOLEMN SCENE.

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

SOLEMN SCENE.

LYING-IN-STATE. Thousands Flock To Pray In Rome. IMPRESSIVE PROCESSION. United Tress Association. —Copyright. (Kcceivpd 12.30 p.m.) ROME, February 10. Thousands flocked to the churches to pray after the death of the Pope. Theatres and cinemas were closed. Five thousand gathered in St. Peter's Square waiting the ]ving-in-state. The body was taken to the Sistine Chapel by four Noble Guards, who wore steel corselets. The crepe-veiled Diplomatic Corps followed, the procession taking 40 minutes to go to the chapel.

The procession was led by a sergeant of the Swiss Guards wearing a medieval blue and yellow uniform and carrying a huge lialbcrd. There were grooms wearing scarlet, prelates black, and Palatine Guards in blue and purple.

The body was placed on the catafalque surrounded by twelve lighted candles. On the head is a golden mitre, on the breast a silver cross, and a shot gold cape covers him to the knces v Underneath is a linen surplice with fine lace.

Two members of the Noble Guard in red full dress stand at the head of the bier with swords drawn and grounded. Next there is the clerical chamberlain, violet robed, and the lay chamberlain in a black Spanish costume with a gold chain. Recitation of the Office of the Dead in an undertone by penitentiaries of St. Peter's is the only sound that breaks the solemn eilonce of the dim-lit chapel.

At 9 a.m. to-morrow 200 bishops will gather at the Ststine Chapel for a Mass for the Repose of the Soul. At 10 a.m. the Sacred College will meet to prepare for the conclave.