THE ELECTION AND PROCLAMATION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 260, 26 April 1878, Page 15

THE ELECTION AND PROCLAMATION.

The Conclave was closed by Prince Chigi, the Marshal, on Monday night, Pebrnary 18th ; and on Tuesday morning the first ballot was taken. Solemn prayers had been ordered by the ' Cardinal-Vicar in various churches in Rome, to be continued for a month : and it was arranged that pilgrimages should be made to the principal sanctuaries in Rome by members of the various Catholic associations to obtain the blessing of a speedy election of a new Pontiff. On Wednesday morning it is said that Cardinal Pecci received 36 votes, and that thereupon Cardinal Franchi and others added their votes, by the system known as " accessus" to those already recorded for him, thus giving him more than the number required. This information Is, however, not authentic, and we must wait till next week for accurate intelligence on this matter. By Tuesday night all the Cardinals except three seem to have been present at the Conclave — the absentees were Cardinals Cullen, Brossais St. Marc, and McCloskey. The first of these only started from Dublin on Saturday last ; the second is ill ; and Cardinal McCloskey arrived in Liverpool from America on Wednesday. The result of the election seems to have been known to the inhabitants of the Vatican about twenty minutes past twelve, and to have soon spread through the city, as we read that about 20,000 people were collected together in the Piazza of St. Peter's when Cardinal Caterini read the formula announcing the election, from the balcony of St. Peter's. The Sovereign Pontiff, after being invested in the Pontifical robes, received the homage of tbe Cardinals, the Marshal of the Conclave, and others, and then ietired to his rooms. Preparations then commenced for the formal Benediction in St. Peter's. Some \incertainty seems to have prevailed as to whether the Holy Father would appear outside St. Peter's or no, but soon after half-past four the balustrade over the door inside St. Peter's was covered with a crimson drapery, and shortly after his Holiness appeared. This was the signal for loud and. long-continued cheers. When silence was restored, Leo. XIII. came forward, and in a distinct and loud voice gave his first Benediction to his flock. The greatest enthusiasm prevailed, we are told, not only in St. Peter's, but among a dense crowd which filled every street leading to the Basilica. — Tablet..