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Death Monday Ends Pontiff s SufferingThousands File Past Bier Today; Cardinals Convene June 18-21 I o Elect New Catholic LeaderVATICAN CITY (/P) — The higrh and the lowly paid homage to Pope John XKIII in procession past his bier at the Vatican today, symbolizing: the mourning: of millions around the world.The body of the pontiff, 81, who died Monday night after four days of agonizing suffering from a stomach tumor and peritonitis, was to be transferred this evening across St. Peter’s Square to St. Peter’s Basilica for wider public viewing.Prelates, diplomats and citizens of Vatican City, including the street sweepers and gardeners with whom Pope John liked to chat, called at the papal apartment in tribute while cardinals began preparations to choose a new supreme ruler for the world’s half-billion Roman Catholics.The cardinals, now administering church affairs, scheduled their first business meeting for Wednesday. The meetings, called general congregations, will be held every day for handling routine affairs and arrangements for the conclave that will elect the new pope.Nine-Day MourningVatican press officials said the formal nine-day mourning period will start Wednesday. The Vatican's master of ceremonial set the date, they said, and the cardinals are expected to ratify it in their opening business meeting. This would carry the period through the feast day of Gormis Christi June 13. though it might be interrupted for that occasion.The Pope’s body lay in state in an antechamber. The body was dressed in red pontifical robes, with a golden bishop’s miter on the head and red slippers on the feet. The catafalque was low, reding only two feet from the floor.Pope John’s face was white. His lips had a pleasant expression— almost a faint smile. His hands, in red gloves, were folded over his pectoral cross.Two guards stood at the head of the catafalque and 10 Swiss I guards and 10 palatine guards of honor stood along the walls.At three small portable altars priests said Requiem Masses con- j tinually in hushed tones.President Antonio Segui and,[Premier Amintore Fanfani of Italy paid their respects at the catafalque.To Publish Writings L’Osservatore Roma, the Vatican newspaper, said it would publish over the next several days a ! series of unpublished writings and I thoughts of Pope John.Cardinals and diplomats walked in a steady stream up the royal staircase from the bronze door to the papal apartment. The cardinals were in mourning purple, the diplomats in formal dress.They knelt at the foot of the catafalque to kiss the Pope’s slipper. The prelates sprinkled holy! water on the body as they knelt.The 1.000 citizens of Vatican City began to pass by the Pope's body toward noon. Some aged and(Turn to Page 4, P'ease)
Newspaper Details
Hamilton Daily News Journal
Hamilton, Ohio, US
Tue, Jun 04, 1963
Page 1
Full Page
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USA 15 May 2025
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