The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-09
RECENT ILLNESS OF
THE AGED PONTIFF
Leo XIII Has Been an Invalid Since
Last December.

This last Illness of the Pope began
as far back as last December, when, at
a reception accorded the cardinals. for
the purpose of receiving their New
Year greetings. the Pontin was sud
denly stricken i'll. For time he lost
the power of speech, and 1t was found
necessary to bring the audience to an
abrupt close.
From that time the world has anx-
iously heard repeated rumors that the
end of the remarkable life of Pope Leo
was approaching. Yet hardly had the
cables told the distressing news when
the Pope, with a rare show of vitality.
would begin TO recoup.
Dr.. Lapponi, the Pope's physician,
abandoned all his other plans, namely,
the writing of famous standard books On
psychology, and has devoted himself
exclusively to the high Office of caring
for the Pope's health. This act in itself
was taken to Indicate how seriously was
any trifling illness that might come into
the life of the Pope at his advanced age.
Preserved by Simplicity of Life.
That the fight for half year was so
successful had undoubtedly to do wish
the simplicity of the Pope's manner Of
life.
DR.. Lapponi described it in an inter
view recently. in which he said that the
daily routine of Leo XIII was to arise
somewhat before O'Clock in the morn
ing and, after celebrating mass. TO rar-
take Of small cup of coffee. During the
remainder OF the morning he received
visitors.
His dinner was very simple. and eaten
in dainty quantities. 1t usually consist
ed of little soup. little meat, little
fruit and little claret and water On
fast days fish and salad were suDsti-
tuted.
After dinner the Pope read the news
papers or the cuttings made from them
by his secretaries. He slept for about
an hour after dinner and then took up
his letters and attended 10 current bust
ness. Supper Of bowl of soup and a
boiled egg was served at 9, and about II
the Pope usually retired.
In March last there was a remarkable
scene, when the Pope. at an audience
given the cardinals. spoke calmly and
smilinely Of the fact that his demise
could not be far off, To man the car
dinals called to him: No. no: you must
not say so God Will grant you to US
for many years to come. You cannot be
s-ared."
A Submissive Patient.
Prof LaDponi has not always had a
willing and obedient patient. as. for in
stance. on this day he had spoken plain
y to the Pope, telling him that his
health demanded that he should stay
in seclusion and not fatigue himself by
holding the cardinals reception. To this
Leo replied:
My dear doctor. thank you for your
advice. Il is very valuable. But far
above your advice stands my duty. and
that I shall do 10 the end. The recep-
tion of the cardinals Will take place"
Until the middle Of June the reports
that came out Of the Vatican were OF a
highly encouraging nature. But on June
Il the Pope was forced to submit TO an
operation for the removal of a tumor
that had grown under his arm.
Prof Mazzoni. the Pope's special sur
geon. however. performed an operation
with rare delicacy. subjecting Leo TO
very little pain. The Pope refused 10
take any anaesthetic with calm eyes he
watched the operation interestedly
Reports OF the rumors that had got
ahoat to the effect that he was dying
annoyed the Pope very much at this
time. To utterly refute these rumors
Leo again refused TO obey his physi-
clans. who begged OF him TO give up the
daily audiences. He reiterated that 1t
was his duty TO go through with the
matter at all costs.
Disquieting reports came from the
Vatican during the last week in June.
which told of fainting spells that had
visited the Pope with frequency, and DR..
Lapponi made a public statement to the
effect that II the Pope would only con
sent to cease his activity and rest as
long as his advanced years made impera-
tive. there would be n long life before
him. But this Leo. as before. refused
TO accede TO. He declared he would 20
on working. no matter what the cost
would be.