The Indianapolis journal., 1903-07-21
DEATH CHAMBER SCENES
SILENCE BROKEN ONLY BY THE
\ WEEPING OF ATTENDANTS.
Last Uterances of the Poniiif-
Monks on Guard Speculation
as TO SuccessOrship.

The last flicker of life expired at four min
utes past o'clock this afternoon and the
Pontir now lies at rest.
The period of over two weeks that Pope
Leo passed in the shadow os death was no
less wonderful than his life. His splendid
battle against disease was watched the
ended only after a series of tremendous ef-
forts to conquer the weakness of his aged
frame by the marvellous will-power of his
mind. The pleuro-pneumonia with which
his Holiness had been suffering was
scarcely so responsible for his death as that
inevitable decay of tissue which ensues
armor. which had so often resisted human
ills. was penetrated at last.
Tonight the emaciated and lifeless frame
which held brave spirit lies the bed
In the Vatican beside which almost all the
world has prayed. The red damask eeverlet
rests lightly over the body, the cardinals
scarlet cape is about the shoulders. while
on his head has been placed the papai hood
of velvet bordered with ermine. A white silk
handkerchief is bound about his chin. and
An the hands which have blessed so many
thousands has been placed a cruciix. So
Pope Leo will remain until tomorrow.
watched by uniformed officers Of the noble
guard and rough-clad Franciscan penitenti-
aries. who will keep a ceaseless vigil until
the burial ceremonies
FUNERAL CEREMONIES.
Tomorrow the Sacred College % cardinals
will assemble for the impressive ceremony
of officially pronouncing Pope Leo dead.
After this sad function has been performed
the body will be taken to the small throne
room adjoining the death chamber. where
II will be embalmed. The funeral cere-
monies will extend over nine days, the re-
mains being removed TO the Cathedral OF
ST. Peters, where they will lie In state. The
ultimate resting place Of the dead Pontin
will be I'm the magnificent Basilica of st.
John the Lateran. g.
Pope Leo's final moments were marked
by that same serenity and devotion and,
when he was conscious. that same cain
intelligence which were associated with his
twenty-five years pontificate. His was no
easy death. An hour before he died, turn
ing TO DR.. Lapponi and his devoted valet,
Pho Centra, he murmured:
The pain / suffer is most terrible
Vet oP
physical anguish that he suffered. but were
whispered benedictions upon the cardinals
and his nephews. who knelt at the bedside,
and the last look of his almost sightless
eyes was towards the great ivory crucifx
hanging in the death chamber. Practically
all the cardinals now in Rome. knesIing at
the bedside. watched the passage of his
soul. Earlier in the day Cardinal Sarafino
vannutelli had impressively pronounced the
absolution In articulo mortis. The condi-
tion of his Holiness varied from agony to
coma. Wishing to relieve him. DR.. Mazzoni
suggested that morphine should be admin
istered, but DIR. Lapponi did not agree.
fearing that the end might be quckened.
THE SUPREME MOMENT
OF the supreme moment DR.. Lapponi gives
an impressive description. He said: Death
occurred through exhaustion. although in
the last two hours Pope Leo made a SUI
preme effort 10 gather together all his en-
ergies. He succeeded in recognizing those
about him by the sound of their voices as
sight was almost entirely lost Still he
made a marvellous display OF his energy.
and even his death was really grand IL
was resigned. calm and serene Very few
examples can be given of man of such
advanced age. after so exhaustive an ill.,
ness. showing such supreme courage In
dying The Pontiffs last breath was taken
exactly at four minutes past T. / applied
lighted candle TO his mouth three times
according TO the traditional ceremonial
and afterward declared the Pope TO be no
more. I then went to inform Cardinal Greg
lia the dean of the Sacred College who
Immediately assumed fun power and gave
orders that the Vatican be cleared of al,
curious persons having no right to be there
In cOntemporaneously the cardinal in
structed Mgr. Marzoini, master of ceremo-
nies. to. send the Swiss Guards from the
CIementine Hail. TO close all the entrances
10 the Vatican and 10 dismiss all persons
from the death chamber. the body being in
trusted TO the Franciscan penitentiaries"
Meantime. events OF momentous imnor
taffce to Catholic Christendom were occur
ing. The death Of Pope Leo meant the pass
ing OF the supreme power into the hands
ek the Sacred College of Cardinals as sts