DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0097
THE CONCLAVE MEETS
75
hours later, Federico himself wrote the following
brief note to his father: “ During the past night,
at the hour of half-past four on Monday morning,
His Holiness Pope Julius II. passed from this
world into the next, called by our Lord God to
life eternal.” 1
Great was the lamentation when the news of
the Pope’s death was made known. “ Rome felt,”
writes Gregorovius, “ that a kingly soul had passed
away.” And Paride Grassi, who had lived forty
years in Rome, says that he never saw such crowds
at a Pope’s funeral before, or such tokens of genuine
and widespread grief. “ They thronged to kiss his
feet and gaze on his dead face, for all recognised
in him a true Roman Pontiff and Vicar of Christ, a
defender and protector of the weak against tyrants,
and the deliverer of Italy from the barbarians.”2
Only in Ferrara was the news of Julius the
Second’s death hailed with satisfaction. Alfonso
d’Este was delivered from his most dangerous
enemy, and Isabella must have been secretly con-
scious of a deep sense of relief. Now, at least,
Federico would be set free, and could return to
her arms at once. As soon as the Conclave met
he obtained permission from the Sacred College to
go to Mantua, and on the 3rd of March took
leave of the Cardinals. “ The door was not quite
closed,” writes honest Grossino to his mistress, “ so
I could see through the opening how His Highness
bowed to the ground and tried to kiss their hands,
but they all embraced and kissed him.” 3
1 D’Arco, Arch. St. It., App. ii. 284.
2 Gregorovius, Rom, viii. 102.
3 Luzio, op. cit., p. 52.
75
hours later, Federico himself wrote the following
brief note to his father: “ During the past night,
at the hour of half-past four on Monday morning,
His Holiness Pope Julius II. passed from this
world into the next, called by our Lord God to
life eternal.” 1
Great was the lamentation when the news of
the Pope’s death was made known. “ Rome felt,”
writes Gregorovius, “ that a kingly soul had passed
away.” And Paride Grassi, who had lived forty
years in Rome, says that he never saw such crowds
at a Pope’s funeral before, or such tokens of genuine
and widespread grief. “ They thronged to kiss his
feet and gaze on his dead face, for all recognised
in him a true Roman Pontiff and Vicar of Christ, a
defender and protector of the weak against tyrants,
and the deliverer of Italy from the barbarians.”2
Only in Ferrara was the news of Julius the
Second’s death hailed with satisfaction. Alfonso
d’Este was delivered from his most dangerous
enemy, and Isabella must have been secretly con-
scious of a deep sense of relief. Now, at least,
Federico would be set free, and could return to
her arms at once. As soon as the Conclave met
he obtained permission from the Sacred College to
go to Mantua, and on the 3rd of March took
leave of the Cardinals. “ The door was not quite
closed,” writes honest Grossino to his mistress, “ so
I could see through the opening how His Highness
bowed to the ground and tried to kiss their hands,
but they all embraced and kissed him.” 3
1 D’Arco, Arch. St. It., App. ii. 284.
2 Gregorovius, Rom, viii. 102.
3 Luzio, op. cit., p. 52.