New-York tribune., 1903-07-06

foreign Pope. No French or Spanish cardinal,
however. could command the votes of the Ger
mans or English. or vice versa, so that, If an
opportunity arises for a foreign cardinal to be
chosen. the most authoritative members of the
college think that the only one who could OBJ
tain the prescribed majority is Cardinal Glib
bons.
July g. II p m.-The condition Of His Holi-
ness at this hour, though still grave, is not so
serious as late this afternoon. DR.. Lapponi
administered camphor-cafene through the
mouth as one experiment OF injection did not
prove successful. Pope Lee saying he could not
bear It, The amelioration resulting from the
camphor-caffeine was so marked that the
Pontif called first his nephews and then his
private secretary, and adjusted some personal
affairs which are pending. DR.. Mazzoni and
Dr. Lapponi now think that the danger OF
catastrophe occurring in the night has been
averted Indeed, they hope that unless there
is heart failure they will be able to keep
their patient alive for a few days longer
especially If he will willingly consent to observe
the physicians prescriptions. This. however.
is the more difficult, as His Holiness preserves
his full consciousness and argues and discusses
his doctors prescriptions The latter. fearing
to excite him by contradiction. are sometimes
at loss how 10 proceed.
LAST SACRAMENT ADMINISTERED.
In the afternoon the strength Of the Pontiff
began to fail him so rapidly, and his condition
became so critical that it seemed probable that
oniv a few more hours of life remained to him
It was therefore deemed wise to advise him OF
his grave condition. and this was done with
tender precaution. Pope Leo was thus prepared
for his last communion. which was admins
tered tonight, in the presence Of all the Car
dinals now in Rome and the whole Of the Pom
tifical court.
The solemn yet gorgeous ceremony OF admin
istering the last sacrament took place at the
bedside of Pope Leo. The central figure was
the dying Pontiff, whose long life's Journey is
nearly over. calmly preparing to die. His pale
and emaciated face, almost as white as the pill
lows on which it rested showed little sign of
life except the keen. glittering eyes always his
most striking feature.
THE SCENE AT THE BEDSIDE.
Around the bed were grouped the Noble
Guards in their brilliant uniforms, the knights
medieval costumes Of black with white ruffs;
twenty-five Cardinals. all the members of the
Sacred College who are present in Rome state
" and venerable figures in their sweeping Grim
son robes the whole forming scene Of rich
yet subdued coloring. All the members Of what
is called the Ponti1cal family. headed by Car
dinal Rampolla, and including all the private
chamberIains present.
Nearest to the bed stood the tall, imposing
afno Vannute.l, with the Pope's confessor to
hear the last confession Of the dying Pontiff.
The Priest Apostolic approached bearing the
viaticurn TO give the last communion and ad-
minister extreme JUNCTION. assisted by the Grand
Penitentiary.
POPE RECITEs THE CONFESSION.
Pope Leo feebly recited the Confession of
Faith. as formulated by the Council of Trent.
and finally the words of absolution and the
formula Of Indulgence In articulo nortis were
solemniy pronounced by the Grand Peniten-
tiary. The heads Of the great religious orders
who were present granted to the Pope the spe-
ciaI induIgences which they have the privilege
OF conferring.
Then came the touching prayers for a pass
ing soul and part OF the Gospel. the Lords
Passion AS the last words died away all fell
on their knees. The Pontin. raising his almost
transparent fingers with a feeble effort. pro-
nounced in scarcely audible words his benedic-
ton on the Sacred College and on all present,
and then sank back on the pillows.
SIGNS OF DEEP GRIEF
There was scarcely fearless eye in the whole
assenblage. The sobs OF the Popes relatives
were plainly heard. Deep silence followed.
only broken now and again by a murmured
prayer OF a pious ejaculation
In the part of the Loggia of Raphael, adjon-
ing the Papal apartments. were the families OF