The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-07-30

grasp the fact that it might he the last
time, and he made use OF 1t.
At 11.40 o'clock there was great
alarm at the Vatican as the Pope was
suffering from Il grave increase oil
cardiac affection. DR.. Lapponi really
thought the end had arrived. n Car
dinal Seratino Nanutclli. the Grand
Penitentiary. began the prayers Cor the
diving and gave the IOntif abs0iut'on
in articulo morris.
His death was considered SO :mm!-
nent that all the Cardinals were pres
pnt. and the members OF the diplomatic
CORPS were admitted to the sick room.
is. according to tradition. PopeS mus
Gle surrounded by the Sacred College.
thr Pontitical Court and the diplomats
accredited to the Vatican.
Just at that moment n large party OF
american tourists. unaware of the crit
zeal situation of the Pontiff. assembled
the grand staircase. talking and laugh
Ing. They were approached By a gend-
armc. who said. please do not make
any noise. as the Holy Father is dy-
ing"
This produced great emotion among
the tourists, and they Immediately re-
tired.
When. during the alarming crisis
about noon. he was lying on his bed.
perfectly mOtionleSS. while around him
knelt the Cardinals and other members
Of the Papai Court. without any prelim-
mary reStlcsSneSS the Pope opened his
eyes. which fell on Cardinal Greglia.
who was at his side. and he said SOL
EMMY:
To Your Eminencc. who will SO o %
seize the reins of supreme power. con-
fde the Church in these difficult times.
Then Mgr. BiSleti. the Master OF the
Chamber, asked for the Popes bene-
diction for the court. which the Pope
granted, adding. BE this my last greet
ing"
Then the Pope gave his hand TO kiss
to the Cardinals present. who were
Oreglia. Rampolla. Seratino Eanute!li,
Della Tolne and Wives V Tuto.
DR.. Lapponi profted by the Popes
animation to administer rcStorativcS.
after which the patient sank back as
suddenly as he had revived.
The words the Pope addressed to
Cardinal Oreglia are much commented
upon. and some wondered whether inc
intention of Leo Nlll. was to indicate
Cardinal Oreglia as his successor.
The first notifications from Cardinal
Oreglia of the Pope's demise were sen,
10 the Cardinal Dean. representing the
College of Cardinals. and the Cardinal
Vicar. representing the B!shOpric OF
Rome. Immediately after the accred-
tied representatives Of the foreign pow
ers to the Vatican were informed.
Monsignor Nocella. the Secretary OF the
Sacred College. communicated with
those Cardinals who were absent from
Rome. and requested them to attend
Immediately at the Forthcoming con
clave.
Orders were sent to all the churches
and religious communities in Rome. dl-
recting the clergy to hold special ser
vices and to celebrate requiem masses.
Those present in the Pope's chamber
at the time of his death were Cardinal
Serafino Vanutelli. Sacristan Iifhnl,
Count Camille Pecci, the Pose.s
nephew: DR.. Lapponl and the Pontiff's
valet. Pho Contra.
The occurrences in the death cham
Der Immediately following the Ropes
demise were Of impressive solemn'ty.
Couriers had been dispatched to sum-
mon those delegated to perform the
first religious offices for the dead Pope,
and soon the chanting Of the rancl
can monks was heard. as, W by two,
In coarse brown habits and with san
daled feet. they proceeded to the room
in which Leo lay dead. From time I'M
memorial the Franciscans have beer
P%enitentiaries of st. Peters. Follow
ing them CAME the Noble Guards. TO
watch over the Pontiff's remains. the
brilliancy Of their uniform contrasting
strikingly with the sombre attire OF
the monks and the solemn dignity oil
the chamber itself. The only sound
heard was the measured chanting or
the Psalms of Penitence by 4 group or
monks kneelirg beside the couch OF
death. Two Noble Guards took III po-
.itions at the foot Of the couch and
stood there. rigid and silent as statues.
with swords drawn and reversed. point
ing TO the floor.
The death chamber preserved much
the same appearance as it did during
the illness of the Pope. 1t is situated
On the third floor Of the Vatican. the
apartments fronting the splendid piazza
of st. Peters and the window OF the
room commanding Il View of the tail