The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-05

grasp the fact that it might be the last
time. and he made use Of It.
At 1i.40 o'clock there was great
alarm at the Vatican as the Pope was
suffering from grave increase OF
cardiac affection. DR.. Lapponi really
thought the end had arrived. anu Car
inal Serafno Nanutelli, the Grand
Penitentiary. began tho prayers for the
dying and gave the Pontiff aDsolutlon
in articulo mOrtiS.
His death was considered so lmml-
nent tllat all the Cardinals were pres
ent. AMI the members of the diplomatic
Corps We're admitted to the sick room,
as. according to tradition, PopeS must
die surrounded by the Sacred College.
the Pontitical Court and the diplomats
accredited to the Vatican.
Just at that moment a large party OF
American tourists. unaware OF the CRIT.
i,.ll situation of the Pontiff. ascendeu
the grand staircase, talking and laugh
ing. They We're approached Gy gand-
arme. who said. Please do not make
any noise. as the Holy Father is dy-
ing"
This produced great emotion among
the tourists. and they Immediately re-
tired.
When. during the alarming crisis
about noon. he was lying on his bed
perfectly motionleSs. while around him
kneit the Cardinals and other members
of the Papal Court, without any prelinl.
mary reStlcssness the Pope opened his
eyes, which fell OH Cardinal OreSla,
who was at his side, and he said SOL
emnly:
TO Your Eminence. who will so soon
seize the reinS of supreme power. con.
tide the Church in these difficult times.
Then Mgr. Bisleti, the Master of the
Chamber. asked for the Pope's Dene-
diction for the court. which the Pope
granted. adding. BE this my last greet
ing"
Then the Pope gave his hand to kiss
to the Cardinals present, who We're
Or2c;ia. Rampolla Seratino Eanutc!li,
Della Volpe and Wives Y Tuto.
Dr. Lapponi prolited by the Pope s
animation to administer restoratlves'
after which the patient sank back as
suddenly as he had revived.
The words the Pope addressed TO
Cardinal Oreglia are much commented
upon. and some wondered whether the
intention of Leo XIII. was to indicate
Cardinal Oreglia as his successor.
The first notifications from Cardinal
Oreglia of the Pope's demise We're sent
to the Cardinal Dean, representing the
College of Cardinals, and the Cardinal
Vicar, representing the Bishopric OF
Rome. immediately after the accred'
tied representatives Of the foreign pow
ers to the Vatican were informed.
Monsignor Nocella, the Secretary or the
Sacred College, communicated with
those Cardinals who were absent from
Rome. and requested them to attend
immediately at the forthcoming con-
clave.
Orders were sent to all the churches
and religious communities In Rome. dl-
recting the clergy to hold special ser
vices and to celebrate requiem masses.
Those present in the Pope's chamber
at the time of his death were Cardinal
Serafino Tanutelli.. Sacristan .Pithnl,
Count Camille Pecci, the Pope S
nephew: DR.. Lapponi and the Pontitf' S
valet, Pho Centra.
The occurrences in the death cham
Der Immediately following the Pones
demise were of impressive solemnity.
Couriers had been dispatched to sum-
mon those delegated to perform the
first religious offices for the dead Pope,
and soon the chanting Of the FRANCES
can monks was heard. as, two by two'
in coarse brown habits and with san
daled feet. they proceeded to the room
in which Leo lay dead. From time I'M
memorial the Franciscans have been
PenitentiarieS of st. Peters. Follow
ing them came the Noble Guards. to
watch over the Pontiff's remains. the
briiiiancy of their uniform contrasting
strikingly with the sombre attire or
the monks and the solemn dignity OF
the chamber itself. The only sound
heard was the measured chanting of
the Psalms of Penitence by group OF
monks kneeling beside the couch or
death. Two Noble Guards took up po-
sitions at the foot of the couch anu
stood there. rigid and silent as statues,
with swords drawn and reversed, point
ing to the floor.
The death chamber preserved much
the same appearance as it did during
the illness CT the Pope. 1t is situated
on the third floor Of the Vatican. the
apartments fronting the splendid piazza
of st. Peters and the window OF the
room commanding view OF the tall