Evening star., 1903-07-14
LEO SLOWLY DYING
Recurrence of Consciousness
Less Frequent Every Hour.
WONDERFUL OLD MAN
WHEN THOUGHT GOING HE ROSE
FROM HIS BED.
No Stirlulants Can Be Taken and
Early Dissolution of ths
Pontif is Expected.

| ROME. July H. 2:l5 p.m.-The pope'S
condition today developed features which
| the doctors regarded as the most alarm
| ing since his Illness began. Their judg.
ment was based upon the patients hav'
| ing brief but frequently recurring speeis
| of delirium. Yesterdays hallucination was
rot considered as of the same character.
that delirium being clearly the effect OF
nerve prostration. Today's alterations,
however convinced the doctors that the
| disease had advanced beyond the nerves
| and had affected the brain
Asked for Rampolla.
During the periods of delirium the pa
TENTS mind wandered, and he muttered
| incoherently He insisted that shadows
were fitting about the room In his lucid
moments the pope for the first time show
ed a complete realization of the gravity
| of his condition. He asked for the Fran
ciscan benediction, which was given by
| Cardinal Wives Tuto. He specially ask
ed to see Cardinal Rampolla. to whom he
gave what 1t WAS thought might be his
final word.
The increasing gravity of the situation
becoming generally known, the Vatican
was beseged during the morning by ahN-
icus visitors. comprising practically all OF
the leading figures in the ecclesiastical anu
Diplomatic world Of Rome.
Toward noon no marked change was re-
ported. but DIR. Lapponi made brief visit
| to his sick daughter. This led TO the be
lief that the doctors did not expect i'm
mediate dissolution.
Visions During Delirium.
As the morning progressed the attacks of
deliri,lm became accentuated, both with re-
gard to the length of the hallucinattons ana
the shortnesS of the lucid intervals. his
mutterings during delirium We're not al
ways intelligible but they seemed to relate
to the history of events of many years ago,
which being unknown to those present.
neither Or. Lapponi nor Contra succeeded
in comprehending. At times the pope seeil-
ed to see again apparitions. Nhen ms at
tendarts try to persuade MN 70 tiie CON
trary the pope insists on indicating the
presence of some imaginary shadow. which
he not only sees but hears He said:
NO. No. Don't you see him. BESIDES
he rattles the chairs and other thihSS as
he moves"
1t is evident that the pope is making a
great effort and straining all his nerves
to maintain calmness and to have MS VIII
triumph over his mental weakness. lie
succeeds occasionally. but an attack of de-
lirium follows this effort and each is
stronger than the preceding. The resist
body offers to disease is really marvellous.
Catastrophe is Near.
Dr. Mazzno was asked for an explana-
ton and said:
1T is a phenomenon, which as all such
phenomena cannot be explained
The doctors consider the catastrophe near.
1t is imminent if it is to take place through
cardiac paralysis. or is further off if it is 10
come through cerebral anaemia, which Is
the cause of the present delirium
Instructed His Secretaries.
ROME. July IA, 1915 a.m.-The pope, as
though feeling that the end really ap-
proa ching, has taken much trouble in CIV
ing his last instructions.
This morning speaking with evident ef-
fort to his private secretaries. MonSgnors
Angel and Marzolini. his holiness repeated
the instructions previously given that all
the presents received by him the occa-
sion of his jubilee in 1SsS which are Of the
greatest value, shall be the property of the
holy see and telling In which drawer would
be found the most costly. which are TO Toe
personally delivered to his successor.
With an evident feeling of sadness the
pontiff spoke of all the sacred objects he
had gathered. Behind "A screen in the
pope's library are the presents given his
holiness on the occasion of this years juhi-
lee These are destined for poor churches.
The pontiff expressed the hope that If he
were not alive on his name day. ST.
Joachim's day august l6). the usual fete
be given.
Realized His Condition.
ROME. July II. IL 30 a.m.-Before lapsing
into delirium the pope fully realized the
extreme gravity OF his condition. lie asked
to see Cardinal Rampolla, who entered the
sick room. His holiness gave the cardinal
a brief whispered message. Pope Leo also
asked to receive the benediction. which was
performed by Cardinal Wives Tuto.
Asked for Benediction.
ROME. July l4.-ll:lo a.m.-Although the
pope's mind is not az lucid as formerly. ia
his brighter intervals he thoroughly real
ICES his imminent danger. This morning,
after the visit of the doctors, who tried 10
conceal the gravity of his situation. the
pontiff said to his valet, Pho Contra:
II think | know better. My time is run
ming short. Before it is too late wish 10
speak to Rampola."
few minutes later Cardinal Rampollt
entered the sick room. and remained iii-
teen minutes alone with the pontin. Then
the latter said:
Il now wish to have the Franciscan BEN
ediction.
Fortunately Cardinal Wives Tuto. who
Is; a Capuchin WAS at the Vatican and he
entered the sick room and fulfilled the wish
of the pope, who afterward said he felt re-
leved and easy in his mind.
The moment was most solemn. the strong,
bearded figure of Cardinal Wives Y Tuto
making a striking contrast with the eIna-
ciated white form of Leo XIII, who SEEM
ed as though a breath of air would watt
him straight to heaven.
The pope was heard to say when Cardinal
Rampolla left him this morning:
Il renew to you my confidence in this su-
IRENE moment
While Cardinal Wives Tuto was in the
sick room the pope succeeded in reciting the
confetor and then gave the apostolic bene-
diction to the whole Franciscan order.
Cardinals Hurried to Vatican.
ROME, July IA. 1856 p.m.-The news of
the grave condition OF the pope spread
rapidly and many cardinals and members
of the diplomatic corps hurried to the vati-
can.
Danger Less Imminent.
ROME. July IA, 1:25 p.m-Dr. Lapponi
has left the sick room and gone to see his