Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-07-07
SOLEMN saene at Vatican,

|
Rome, jury T.-Another morning has
broken on the pathetic scene within
the simple chamber OF the vatican
where Pope Leo lies dying. AS the
soft light OF day penetrated into the
room the pontiff whispered to his de-
voted physician that he desired the
shutters of the windows opened, say
| ing: Il wish to see once more, perhaps
| for the last time, the rays OF the SUM-.
| 1t was just a short while that the
pope came back to consciousness from
| a sleep which DR.. Lapponi had induced
| by strong dose of choral. His sleep
was so deathlike that artificial respir-
alton was continued and DR.. Lapponi
]every few minutes leaned anxiously
over the couch to observe the illustrious
patient and listen to his hardly percept-
ible breathing. Pope Leo awoke wet
with perspiration, feeble to the extreme
and his voice hardly audible. The fits
of coughing had brought pains in his
chest and shoulders, and thinking his
end was now near he said to DR.. Lap
poni: Tell me when the time really
comes" The doctor assured his holi-
ness that he believed the danger of his
immediate passing was averted for the
night and FOR today.
/ These seemingly last moments of
| Pope Leo are full of solemnity. Per-
| haps his last hours would be less mel
ancholy and sad If the august sufferer
We're less conscious of the circum-
| stances and his mind less clear to the
duration of time remaining to him be-
fore he enters eternity. Altho his phys
ical powers are at the lowest ebb and
his breathing becomes more labored,
the popes mind is clear, as Is manifest
to all around him by his bright ex-
pressive eyes and the few words he
now and then succeeds In uttering.
The scene is so touching that those
present around him can scarce restrain
their tears Count Camille Pecci. the
pope's nephew, whom the dying man
kept by his bedside yesterday. was
SO exhausted late last night by his
contending emotions that he had to be
taken from his uncle's room completely
Worn out. A few moments before, as he
stood bowed beside the bed, Pope Leo
| laid his hand on his head with paternal
affection, saying Take courage
| Shortly after 10 o'clock last night the
pontiff received the extreme function.
At 8 o'clock his condition seemed so
| hopeless that only short time appar-
emily remained before he would glide
into his last speep. At Dr. Lapponi's
initiative a hasty consultation of the
pope's relatives, Cardinal Rampolla and
other ecclesiastics was held and ii was
decided that extreme JUNCTION should
be given. The pontiff received the
announcement with his usual calmness
and tho scarcely able to speak audibly,
he said he knew his time had come and
he was ready to appear before the sub
lime tribunal with full trust in the
divine mercy.
/ Monsignor Piffer, Pope Leo's confess
sor, administered the extreme JUNCTION,
and when the ceremony was over his
holiness sank back on the pillow with
apparent great relief that all was done
and that he was entering into rest after
his long pilgrimage.
After the administration of the via
ticum telegrams hoping for his recov
| cry were shown to the pope and he
appeared to be much gratified. One of
the strangest features in his condition
| is the interest the pope takes in tele-
grams inquiring about his health