The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-07-24

passed and reverently knrlt ana
kissed the pope's hand
No WORD was spoken. The only
sound which broke the silence Of the
death room was the rattle of the arms
Of the noble guard, who were sta-
toned at every door Of the poniiT's
private apartments. il being their
privileges and right under the cir
cumstances 10 take possession OF the
apartments and guard the body Of
the pope.
Final scene In Death Chamber.
The final scene in the death cham
Der was profoundly impressive. Tho
pope's death having been expected
since noon. his dcathbcd was sur
rounded by practically all the men,
bers Of the sacred college now in
Rome and the whole papa court,
while the pontiff's nephews remained
in the papal library until they re-
ceiyed word from the doctors which
announced that his last expiring
breath was approaching. Then they
moved silently within the death
chamber, some standing, some knccl-
ing, all awaiting the awful moment Of
dissolution.
In the ante-chamber had assembled
the high ecclesiasfics members Of the
diplomatic corps and representatives
OF the papal aristocracy, awaiting the
announcement that the final moment
had come.
pr. Lapponi. who almost constantly
had his fingers on the pope's pulse,
felt it become gradually weaker and
weaker. and at the same time the
pontiff's extremities began to get
cold. his lips became blue. his eyes
sank more deeply into the head. his
breathing became even more difficult,
and there were strange ratings ia
his throat.
Finally, the pope was asked to bless
his ncphews and all the others pres
ent. He attempted TO raise himself,
and the extreme emacation of his
person. covered with fine nightshirt,
was rendered more pronounced by
the surroundings.
II was a most solemn moment. Ths
bead Of the pontiff. with its white
skullcap. no winter than the fringe
of sli,ery hair. rising above tha
crimson coverlot. his hand raised in
the familiar gesture Of benediction,
the kneeling assemblagc being too
earnestly absorbed in deep affection,
veneration and weeping 10 even make
a movement.
Profound silence reigned in tho.
pope's bedroom. only broken by tho
doctors rising TO render their cxpir-
ing patient more comfortable. by the
sobs Of the ever-faithful valet. Pic
Contra. or the murmured prayers Of
Mgr. Piiferi. the papal confessor. him
self - years of age. who had 10 be as
sisted to the bedside.
Prayers Recitcd for the Dying.
Softly he recited the prayers for
the dying. The pontiff at one moment
appearing tc follow them as though
conscious Of what was Transporting,
but he could not speak. Then the dy-
ing pope murmured something 10.
himself, in which those bending over
him heard the words: Father" and
Mother"
The last conscious act of the pom.
titf was TO turn his eyes toward the
great crucifix on the wall, after
which he suffered from a paroxysm
Of choking, during which he passed
away.
Then the silence 81 awe-strickel
assemblag6 was broken by the sonor-
Gus. solemn voice of Cardinal Seratno
Nannutelli. the grand penitentiary.
intoning the requieum aeternam (rest
eternaD
Outside the death chamber cxpecta-
ton was intense, but the sight of tho
sorrowing faces of those leaving the
room was sufficient. without words,
TO spread the sad news, which was
not long in spreading throughout
Rome.
Occurrences In Death Chamber.
The occurrences in the death
chamber Immediately following the
pope's demise were of impressive sol
emnity.
Couriers had been dispatched TO
summon those who are delegated ~
perform the first religious Offices to-
ward the dead pope. and soon the
chanting Of the Franciscan monks
was heard. as two by two, i'm coarse
brown habits. and with sandalcd feet,
they proceeded to the room in which
Leo lay dead. From time immemorial
Franciscans have been penitentiaries
Of ST. Peters.
Following them came the nobls
guard to watch over the pontiff's re-
mains, the brilliant Of their uniforms
strikngly with the som
Der attire Of the quantity garbed
monks and the solemn dignity Of the
chamber itself.
The only sound heard was the
measured chanting Of the rsalms Of
,enitence, by group of monks kneel-
ng beside the couch of death. The
noble guards took up positions at the
DOT Of the couch and stood by. rigid
md silent as statues. with swords
lrawn.
The death chamber preserved much
r . "A a n.