Word: mortuus
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Villot, following a centuries-old ritual, immediately called out the Pope's baptismal name (Giovanni) three times, then pronounced the formula vere Papa mortuus est (truly the Pope is dead). He dispensed with the former tradition of tapping the dead Pontiff's head three times with a small silver mallet. Minutes later a heavy chain was drawn across the great iron door of Castel Gandolfo, and church bells in Rome began their slow, measured death toll, signaling the news to the world...
...Church until a new Pope is elected, took custody of the gold Fisherman's ring that the Pope used for sealing documents; it was later broken and the pieces buried with John's body. To those in the room, Aloisi Masella spoke the ritual words: "Vere Papa mortuus est [The Pope is truly dead]." He then signed a formal certificate of death, and Vatican clerics dressed the body for its final appearance: golden miter, white alb, crimson and gold gloves, chasuble, buskins and slippers. In John's hands was placed the tiny black crucifix he had held...
When the late Pope Benedict XV died, Correspondent Morgan had entered the death chamber by permission and kissed the slippered foot of the late Pontiff even before the fact of Death, ascertained by physicians, was officially certified by Cardinal Gasparri and made known with the words "Vere papa mortuus est." With his inquisitive yet reverent eyes. Observer Morgan noted that the Cardinal did not observe the quaint Papal ceremony for determining Death once used but since fallen into disuse: "The ceremony consisted in tapping the Pope on the forehead with a small silver hammer and calling him by his first...
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