Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-07-13
THE ROOM WHERE
Pope LEO LIES
Walls Are Hung With Pale Green
And GoIdIlke Damask.
SHOWS GREAT DAlNTINESS.
Chamber Gives the Idea of Extreme
simplicity, Luxuries Being rig
orOusiy Bahished,

Rome, July l2-As many fantastic
descriptions are IN circulation regard
ing the room where Pope Leo lies, the
representative Of the Associated Press
has taken some pains TO secure an eX-
act account from one OF the popes
nephews. who sees his uncle daily The
room is largo, bright and airy. The
walls are hung with pale green and
gold-like damask Entering 1t with
the sun pouring through the ampe
windows, is like taste Of spring a
large curtain divides the room and Is
drawn open. showing on the right the
model narrow brass bed, covered with
d red damask cover
IN his condition, Pope Leo shows
great dalntiness with regard 10 ms
person, performing u full toilet When-
ever possible ana changing daliy nus
fine White batiSte ngnt snlrt. Al me
mead OF the bed IL "a huge picture VI
the madonna beside a hOiy water
iount, while In the middle OF the ad-
JaCent wall ~ an immense cuclhM
reaching from floor TO ceiling, win an
ivory inquire Of Christ, Al the root ui
the bed stands very simple walnut
writing desk, at which the pope has
written the best Of his Latin poems. On
the other side stands the now famous
ann chair, which IL most comlortao,e,
q small table. few shelves with The
pOpes preferred books, and nothing
more
The chamber gives the idea Of eX-
IRENE simplicity, Injuries being rig l.
ously banished Even In his pre.ent
condition Pope Leo has great otjlc.
ton to having people about him, umess
specially called, SO that except In the
moments when he was much worse Dr.
Lapponi and his valet, Contra, ecu d
not enter themselves unless he rang,
Contra, who Is most reluctant to
leave the room, asked this morning If
the pontiff did not think II better to
have some one always TO keep him
company. Pope Leo replied Il am
In good company pointing TO the
large crucihN),
Now and then the pope suspects that
something is being concealed from
HON, today after the visit Of the doc
tors when copy OF the medical bu le-
tin was brought In, he read It atten-
lively and then rang to Contra, who
appeared In response to the bell, he
said abruptly,
Bring me another copy Of the bul'e-
tin, emphasizing the word another
and evidently thinking that the first
one had been doctored for his benefit
as had been done before. But today
Contra was able triumphantly to bring
another Identical with the first
one of the greatest difficulties IL TO
prevent the pope OF speaking too
much When some one Is allowed to
visit him, he Immediately begins de-
scribng the satisfaction he felt on the
greetings he received on the occasion
OF the last jubilee and also at the man
lfestations OF sympathy from all parts
Of the world during HIS present illness,
which he considers almost pr0Vidential
TO strengthen the influence Of the Cath
Ollie church in the person Of its head.
Then either the doctor or one Of his
nephews steps In and monopolzes the
conversation, obiging the pope TO be
silent, which he does not like at ALL
II is wonderful what different impress
sions people receive OF the popes con-
ditlon, according to their different tenn
peraments. For instance. the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent was present
when Cardinals Ferriata, Segna ana
Cretoni left the sick room together
Cardinal Ferrata, rubbing his hands.
said: "rhe holy father IS almost con-
yalescent We shall soon see him In
the vatican garden again"
Cardinal Segna, making the sign NJ
the cross, sighed: "Our beloved pontiff
is lost while Cardinal Cretoni shak-
ing his heal in doubt, exclaimed who
knows2 lie may die stil he may get
better"