The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-07-13
is HOLDING HIS OWN
POPE BEARS UP WELL UNDER HIS
ILLNESS.
TALK NOW MOST HOPEFUL
OF THE PONTIFF'S CHANCES TO
GET WELL AGAIN.

arc Ia
pressed of His COnditiOn-Gsssip
of Rome and the Vatican.
Rome, July 12.-Pope Leo has lived
to see another Sunday, and with the
came also peace and even progress to
the Pontiff.
Beginning this morning with distinct
signs of improvement, he maintained
this throughout the day. Tonight DR..
Lapponi made the following important
statement in answer to the question if
he believed that the Improvement in
the Pope's condition could continue:
Il believe that if the improvement
lasts until July q, we may not perhaps
achieve an absolute cure, but we will
secure such a general state of health in
the patient as will allay our anxiety"
During the morning the Pontiff par
ticipated in the celebration of mass.
The ceremony was held in the chapel
adjoining the sick chamber, Monsignor
Marzoni being the celebrant. The door
connecting the sick chamber with the
chapel was opened so that his holiness
might follow the service. He insisted
that DR.. Lapponi and his valet should
leave his side and enter the chapel in
order to better hear the mass.
The history Of the day has been
comparatively uneventful. The Pontif
had several hours OF repose, DR., Lap
POM resting near him throughout the
night The physicians twice admins
tered injections to him, one of digitails
to strengthen the heart and another in
lection of camphor caffeine to overcome
the patients growing depression. This
morning found the Pontiff with spirits
bright and the conditions generally i'm
proved.
Doctors Reports Encouraging.
Dr. Mazzoni joined his assistant at
$40 a. m, and after a brief conference
issued the most encouraging official
bulletin thus far given. Besides sum-
marizing the satisfactory pathological
conditions, the doctor gave the cheer
ing tidings that the Pontiff's condition
had manifestly improved The pulse,
which went down yesterday to 81, had
risen to Sc, while the temperature or
respiration showed no abnormal char
acteristics.
Pope Leo took his usual light break
fast. and DIR. LaLponi, who has re-
mained in unceasing vigil since the
patients case became desperate, felt
sufficiently assured to leave the Natl-
can for the first time, going to his
home, where his daughter lies stricken
with fever. When the physician left
the sick room he was almost mobbed
by high dignitaries, including several
cardinals. who rejoiced at seeing the
physician tranquil enough to leave the
patient DR.. Lapponi addressed them
all, saying:
Eyes. the Pope is better; but / beg
you not to exaggerate in optimism, in
order to avoid a disillusion later"
DR.. Mazzoni was also absent from
the Pope's side. which in itself gave
the clearest evidence that the doctors
themselves were relieved of immediate
apprehension. DR.. Rossoni has been
taken sick with fever, and was pre-
vented from visiting the Pope this ev-
ening, as he intended.
Rose and Dressed Himself.
During the afternoon the Pope felt
strong enough to get up. He rose,
dressed himself alone in white and
went to sit in his usual armchair,
where he remained for some time.
Then the windows were opened for
change of air, the sun streaming in,
together with light refreshing breeze
from the Mediterranean. Late in the
afternoon he received Cardinals Ma
theiu, Steinhuber, Agliardi and Casali.
The Pope showed his usual brightness
and lucidity of mind, and spoke to
each without showing any perceptible
fatigue.
To Cardinal MathielI he 90 id.
81 have not ceased for one moment
to pray God to protect France, and
have the men now governing her re-
pent and stop the persecution of the
church"
Sent Apostolic Blessing.
He then sent the apostolic blessing
to Cardinal Matthew's sister, who is a
nun. He heartily thanked Cardinal
Steinhuber, who told him that the
whole Jesuit order was daily praying
for his recovery and preservation, and
he asked Cardinal Agliardi how he
liked the position of vice chancellor
of the church. to which he was APP
pointed at the last consistory, and how
the cardinal enjoyed his new residence,
the beautiful and historic palace of the
Chancelry. Hearing that the cardinal
had not yet moved there, Pope Leo
said:
You must settle yourself before
leaving for the country" as though
the conclave was a most remote pos
sibility. He thanked Cardinal Casali
for the warm interest he had taken in
his illness, and then gave all the car
dinals his hand to shake.
AS the King of Spain had telegraph
ed to inquire about the Pope's health
and had asked for the papal benedic-
ton. his holiness directed cardinal
Rampolla to telegraph back granting
the request.
Captain of Guard Arrested.
Later the Pontiff took short nap
and slept TRANQUILITY enough, although
he seemed 20 have somewhat more
difficulty in breathing. The doctors re-
turned at 1880 p. m, and their evening
bulletins gave negative encouragement,
simply showing that the favorable con-
ditions of this morning had been main
tanned.
Throughout the day. st. Peters was
surrounded by the usual Sunday wor-
shippers, and steady lines of inquirers
visited the Vatican courtyard, where
the bulletins are issued. Unusual rigor
was adopted to prevent unseemly
gatherings. One notable instance Of
Vatican sJernness was the arrest OF
CAPT. Smith. commanding the Swiss
Guard. for having given information
to the press.
Prayers for the Pope.
There was a striking scene within st.
Peters tonight. In the midst of the