NOVENDIALI. — These are the funeral rites of the Supreme Pontiffs, celebrated for nine days in St Peter’s Basilica by the Sacred College and the entire Roman Curia. These nine days of funeral rites were definitively regulated by the apostolic constitution *In eligendis* of Pius IV, dated 9 October 1562 (Bullarium Romanum, VII, Turin 1862, pp. 231 ff.).
Before entering the conclave, the cardinals must celebrate the funeral rites of the deceased Pope, without postponement under any pretext. The bier is surrounded by the Noble Guard in gala dress, wearing the black sash and on horseback, and by twenty white wax torches, six of which stand outside the chapel while another six burn on the altar. The cardinals attend these rites in violet cassock, sash, rochet, and mozzetta of the same colour. The cardinal deacons take part in dalmatic. All the ecclesiastics who have a place in the chapel attend in violet hats, with cassock of serge and black stockings, which is the dress they must wear during the vacancy of the Apostolic See. All this prelature, on entering the chapel, not only genuflects to the altar but also to both sides where the cardinals are stationed, since the one to be elected pope may be among them.
On the first day of the *novendiali* (when the body of the deceased Pope has been transferred to St Peter’s, to the Chapel of the Sacrament, and the people come to kiss his foot for the last time), the Mass is sung by the cardinal dean; on the following days, by the other cardinal-bishops suffragan, and in the last three days by the cardinal-priests. On the evening of the third day of the *novendiali*, the cardinals created by the deceased Pope proceed to the burial of his body. On the seventh day of the *novendiali* begin the five papal absolutions prescribed by the Roman Ordines, which are performed around the great catafalque. On the last day of the *novendiali*, after Mass, a funeral oration in Latin is delivered in praise of the deceased Pope by a prelate chosen by the Sacred College in the first General Congregation. After the oration, the final absolution is given.