Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-21
THE SAD NEWS
Forwarded to the 80 Archbishops and
Bishops in United States.

Washington, July 2O-The first def
rite announcement of the death of Pope
Leo made to his immediate representa-
tive in Washington, Apostolic Delegate
Falconio, was conveyed to him at 12.45
p. NJ. today, through the means of an
Associated Press bulletin. Four hours
later the official confirmation came.
When the Associated Press dispatch
was handed to Bishop Falconio he was
lunching with Bishop Rocker and Audi
tor Marchetti of the apostolic delega-
ton, All expressed deep sorrow.
The official announcement of the
Pope's death was carried to the legation
at 4.45 o'clock by messenger from the
Postal Telegraph Co. 1t read as fol-
lows:
Rome, July 90 1908.
with deepest sorrow l announce to
YOU the death of the Holy Father which
occurred, this afternoon, at O'Clock.
His Holiness died surrounded by the
Sacred College.
(Signed) cardinal RAMPOLLA."
To this message Archbishop Falconio
made immediate response as follows:
washington, D. c., July 20, 1903.
with deepest sorrow 1 express to
your eminence the universal grief for
the irreparable loss sustained in the
death of the glorious POntiff.
1Signed) "FALCONIO."
Delegate Falconio also Immediately
prepared and gave out the following
address to the archbishops and bishops
of the Catholic church, OF whom there
are 80 in America:
Washington D. c., July 20, 1903.
your Lordship:
1t is my painful duty to convey to
you the sad intelligence of the death of
our Holy Father, the Pope, which oc-
Cured, today. AS in life, so in death
the august Pontiff has shown such
wonderful example of serious thought.
of determination of character, of
sweetness, of hearty piety and Chris
tan fortitude as to evoke in all lands
the most striking manifestation of rev.
erence and respect. Leo XII is dead.
In him the world has lost profound
scholar; a distinguished statesman;
lover and a protector of right and JUS
tice: has lost one whose power for
amelioration of society has been eXer-
cised with such consummate skill and
earnestness is to be felt everywhere
and to gain for him universal admira-
ton. Hence his death is deplored by
all without distinction of nationality
or creed. However, for us Catholics
the loss is greater, and consequently
still more keenly felt. In Leo XII be-
sides the scholar, the statesman, the
philanthropist, we have lost our spirit
ual father, the supreme pastor of the
church, him who during his long Pom
tificate has watched with incessant So
licitude for our spiritual welfare and
has spared no labor to proclaim farther
and wider the kingdom of his Divine
master. His reign recalls to our minds
the brightest days of the Papacy. HIS
noble figure has earned one of the most
glorious places in history. While we
bow reverently before the mortal re-
mains of our august Pontiff and de-
plore the great loss which his death has
cused to the church, let public and pri-
yate prayers be raised to heaven in
every diocese and in every parish for
the eternal repose of that noble soul.
AS to the public prayers your lordshlp
NAV prescribe such suffrages as your
piety may inspire. With sentiments
of highest esteem and profound respect
| [ beg leave to remain,
Your devoted servant in Christ,
D. FALCONIO,
Archbishop of Larysa, delegate Apos-
tolic.