Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-11
Heart and Lungs in Perfec. Condition and
His Digestion is Good.
EXPLAINS HOW REPORT ORIGINATED
imply Over come by His Emotions During
Recent Audience.
WALKS TO HIS APARTMENTS UHAsslsTED
Devotes His spare Time TO Revising
His Latin Poems, a Complete
Edition Of wE:ch is to
he sHszed Soon.

Copyright. 1903. by Press Publishing Coz
ROME, Jan. lO-(New York World Ca
blcgram-speclal Telegram. Recent SEN
sational reports concerning the popes al
legged breakdown at an audience for the
cardinals led the World correspondent to
obtain frst-hand information from Prof
Mazzoni the pope's physician, who said In
response to a question:
you may reassure the readers Of the
World his holiness continues to enjoy ex-
cellent health. Indeed, when disease and
mortality among aged persons were at their
height Il is extraordinary that Leo XIII
should have remained exempt from even a
cold This Is all the more to be wondered
At because he takes no special precautions
and grants audiences as usual, passing from
his private apartments through intermi'
nable corridors in the loggia (open salleries)
OF the vatican, thereby exposing himself 10
changes Of temperature which might have
the most detrimental effect upon less
robust constitution.
THE holy fathers heart and lungs are
stiIl as sound as a bell, and Spartan sim
plicity Of diet has preserved the digestive
organs in perfect condition.
Everything justifes the hope that Leo
may still occupy his exalted post for many
years to come. But, on the other hand, the
slightest attack OF an acute nature might
prove fatal. II is rather upon the miracu-
lous maintenance Of the present conditions
than anything else that we must rely for
the prolonging Of his life"
How do you explain" the World cor
respondent asked, "the incident at the re-
ception at the sacred college which gave
rise to such alarming rumors?"
Overcome by Emotion.
"It simply happened as follows" Prof.
MaEzoni answered, "Rs II was told to me
by the pontifI himself: He was greatly
moved by the cordiality Of the congratu>
latory address read by Cardinal Creglia and
wished to answer, ailuding at the same
time to the sorrow he felt at the numerous
deaths which have occurred in the ranks
of the sacred college during the year. but
he was overcome by his emotion, his voice
trembled, lump rose In his throat, and
being unable TO proceed, he bestowed the
apostolic blessing on all present, and, ris-
ing without any effort, withdrew to bis
private apartments. The story that he was
indignant at some expressions contained in
the cardinals address is manifestly alb
surd, as the address, according to an In
variable custom, had been previously sub
mitted to and approved by him"
The most recent photo taken OF the pop'
shows him walking, with the aid Of hi
gold-headed cane. slightly STOPPING undel
the weight OF his years, but at the sam'
time looking energetic and active.
The pontin is usually carried from hii
private apartments to the vatican gardens
IN a chair OF red damask by the sedarf. o
chair men. and escorted by four Swis
guards and by his faithful valet, Pi'
Contra. who stands by the chair TO opel
the door.
Grants Many Audiences.
As the end Of his jubilee year approache
Pope Leo XIII displays an extraordinar,
amount Of energy and activity. granting
numerous audiences, receiving pilgrimages
publishing important documents, such a
the recent one on biblical studies, an,
devoting his spare time to revising hi
Latin poems, q complete edition OF whicl
will be issued soon.
In one OF these. entitled 'Deo ct Virgin
Matri Extrema Leonis Vota" originall
written in 1896 the pontiff has introduce
some beautiful and pathetic lines, referrin
20 his approaching end.
The mother general OF a religious sister
hood recently had the honor OF a privat
audience with the holy father. to whoI
she expressed her fervent hope that h
might live to be 100.
Thank you, thank you, my child" re
piled the pontifi. but why assign a limi
10 Proyidenee?"