The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-07-09
POPE LEO IS DYING
Head of Catholic Church Nearing His
Final Reward
LAST SACRAMENT ADMINISTERED
His Holiness Rallies Slightly at Times.
and His Physicians Say he May
Live For Some Time.

--
Rome, By Cable.-"God's will be
Zone. Would you have believed it. when
only ten days ago l was presiding over
a public consistory?" murmered feebly
Pope Leo, as he felt himself late Sun
day evening sinking into a sleep which
lasted about three hours, until excruci-
ating pain brought the dying Pontif
back to consciousness. He groaned and
complained Of pains on both sides OF
the throax. Tenderly DR.. Lapponi, as
sisted by Pope Leo's valet, Pho Contra,
and the physicians second, De Castro,
lifted the frail form and, changing the.
position, succeeded in giving the pa
tent some relief. Though lowering OF.
the brink Of death, the life Of the Pom
tiff is still prolonged by means Of
strong stimulants and concentrated
n%ourishment, and while he is still alive,
his wonderful vitality many again re-
sist and conquer the attack Of this ILL
less-Later in the evening, after the ex-
element of the ceremony Of the laA&
Sacrament was over, the Pope seemed
less restless, partly soother by the re-
ligous service and partly by a. dose Of
choral which was given to him in con-
siderable quantity. The Pontiff is lying
On a small bed drawn Up to a window
overlooking the piazza Of St. Peters.
The only picture in the room Is an an
tique Madonna, and the sole ornament.
a great ivory cruciix. The interior Of
the Vatican during the early hours Of
the morning testiies to the convication
that the passing of Pope Leo is very
near. The court yard Of st. Damaso.
is filed with the carriages Of the car
Ginals. Cardinal Satolli drove to Rome
from Frascati, the beautiful carriage
horses covered with dust and %perspira-
ton. In the cortile are drawn up the.
carriages Of the cardinals and Of many
~notables. Servants and messengers hur-
~ across the court with bundles or
huge wax tapers and with the robes Of
the ecclesiastical dignitaries who are
waiting within the palace. The ante
chambeds Of the palace were all
through the night thronged with the
princes Of the Church. high noblemen.
and members Of the diplomatic corps.
kilograms of inquiry have been re-
ceiyed from several Of the monarchs
Of Europe.
All kinds Of speculation are already
in circulation as to the probable sue
cessor to the throne Of st. Peter. Opin-
ions are much divided owing to the
many interests which will be affected
according to the choice made by the
Sacred College. The first questions the
cardinals will have to solve will be
whether the c%onclave shall be held IN
Rome or outside Of Italy. 1t is believed
that the supporters of the idea Of aban-
doning Rome will be even fewer than
in the conclave held after the death Of
Plus TX, when 80 out Of 81 cardinals
voted in favor of Rome.
The second question will be whether
the next Pope must be an Italian or a
foreigner. 1t is generally believed that
he will be an Italian, because in view
Of the struggle between the Church and
the State since the fall Of the temporal
power and the constitution Of united
Italy, all the clergy, as well as the
clerical party and even foreigners
think that an Italian Pope can protect
better than a stranger the advance Of
the religious and political interests Of
the Church. The candidates chiefly
spoken Of are Cardinal Rampolla and
Cardinal Seralno Vannutelli. They are
both representatives OF the ronserya-
tive policy, but are bitter antagonists
Of each other. Cardinal Rampolla Is a
very warm F~rancophile, while Cardinal
Vannutelli is averse to the policy in
a%ugurated by the present pontifcal
Secretary Of State Of assuming the
power to which he has adhered for if
teen years. The most probable liberal
candidates are Cardinal Bichop Agli-
ardi and Cardinal Priest Satolli, whise
breadth of views and love OF modern
ideas have been strengthened during
his stay in America. The most prob
able religious candidates are Cardinal
Prest Cotti, who would carefully avoid
mixing up in politics and Cardinal
Priest Angelo Di Pietro, who also has
the very desirable requisite old age, be-
ing IS years old.