The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1903-07-09
POPE LEO IS DYING
dead of Catholic Church Nearing His
Final Reward
LAST SACRAMENT ADMINISTERED
His Holiness Rallies Slightly at Times
and His Physicians Say tie May
Live For Some Time.

Rome. BY Cable.-"God's will be
done. Would you have believed it. when
only ten days ago | was presiding over
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 Pontiff
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
tent some relief. Though lowering on
the brink of death, the life of the Pom
tiff is still prolonged by means OF
strong stimulants and concentrated
nourishment, and while he is still alive.
his wonderful vitality many again re-
siSt and conquer the attack of this i'll
citement of the ceremony of the last
Sacrament was over, the Pope seemed
less restless, partly soother by the re
ligcus service and partly by dose of
chloral which was given to him in con-
siderable quantity. The Pontiff is lying
On a small bed drawn up to 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 testifies to the convtcation
that the passing Of Pope Leo is very
near. The court yard of St. Damaso
is filled 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-
rv across the court with bundles pf
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-
ceived 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 TIE
! 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 conclave shall be held in
Rome or outside of Italy. It Is believed
that the supporters Of the idea Of aban-
doning Rome will be even fewer than
in the conclave held after the death o1
| 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 q
foreigner. 1t is generally believed that
he will be an Italian, because in view
or the struggle between the Church ant
the State since the fall Of the tempora
power and the constitution of united
Italy, all the clergy, as we'll as the
clerical party and even foreigner:
think that an Italian Pope can protec
better than a stranger the advance O
the religious and political interests O
the Church. The candidates chiefly
spoken OF are Cardinal Rampolla an(
Cardinal Seraf1no Vannutelli They ar,
| both representatives Of the conserva
tive policy. but are bitter antagonist.
Of each other. Cardinal Rampolla Is ,
very warm Francophile, while Cardina
Vannutelli is averse to the policy in
augurated by the present pontifica
Secretary of State of assuming th
power to which he has adhered for fif
teen years. The most probable liberia
candidates are Cardinal Bichop Agli
ardi and Cardinal Priest Satolli, whis
breadth of views and love OF moder,
ideas have been strengthened durin
his stay in America The most prob
able religious candidates are Cardina
Prest Cotti, who would carefully avoi
mixing up in politics and Cardina
Priest Angelo Di Pietro, who also ha
the very desirable requisite old age, be
ing IS years old.