Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1903-07-22
THE POPE HAS PASSED away
DIED IN ROME 4 MINUTES AFTER
MONDAY AFTERNOON.
He Breathed His Last During a Peace
fui Slumber-Cardinais and Diplo-
mats Admitted to the Room During
the Last Moments-Prayers Offered
for Him-Successor Is a Problem.

Washington, July 20. - Charge
d'Affaires Iddins, at Rome, has notified
the state department that the pope
died this afternoon at four minutes af-
ter o'clock.
Rome, July 20, los p. NAT 1
o'clock there was great alarm at the
vatican, as the pope was suffering from
a great cardias affection. DIR. Lapponi
thought the end had arrived and Car
dinal Serafino Vanutelli, the grand
penitentiary. began the prayers for the
dying and gave the pontiff absolution
in articulo mortis. His death was con-
sidered SO imminent that all the car
dinals we're present and members Of
the diplomatic corps were admitted to
the sick, according to tradition. Popes
must be surrounded by the sacred col
lege, the pontifical court and the dip
lomats accredited to the vatican.
Just at that moment a large party
of American tourists, unaware Of the
critical situation Of the pontiff, as
cended the grand staircase, talking and
laughing. They were approached by
gendarme, who said: please do
not make any noise, as the holy father
is dying"
This produced great emotion among
the tourists, and they Immediately re-
tired. The government has decided
that when the pope's death Is immi-
nent or has actually occurred 1t will
hold all dispatches until the facts are
officially verified, when the first an
nouncement will be made.
A stop has been made to the fire.
quent visits made to Pope Leo's cham
ber, although the presence Of callers
would not harm him. While he was
conscious the visits exhausted him,
but 1t was his wish that the visitors
should be admitted and the attending
doctors thought it better not to cross
him.
The pope will die, one may say, in
harness, and If not standing as he de-
clared he would be, at least perform
ing his duties to the end.
This morning the sickroom was the
most tranquil spot IN the vatican. The
pontiff lies in his bed. the pillows Of
which are not whittier than his face,
which has strange appearance owing
to his not having been shaved for SO
long. His hands are folded over the
rosary which he has used for over 60
years. The famous arm chair which,
perhaps, his holiness will never again
enter, stands invitingly near, with his
stick beside 1t, while Centra, his valet,
prays and weeps before a huge ivory
crucifx. DR.. Papponi sitting by the
bedside ready for any emergency. The
doctor from time to time rises noise
lessly to administer nourishment, of
which this morning the pontiff has
taken some. Indeed, Dr.Lapponi sue
ceeded in having him swallow several
teaspoonfuls Of coffee. milk and
brandy mixed.
The silence Of the sickroom is oc-
casionally broken by q hacking cough.
due to the gathering of phlegm In the
pope's throat. These coughing spells
have the effect Of rousing the pontiff,
causing him to open his eyes and re-
vive slightly. When the doctors we're
examining him this morning. believing
he was in a stupor. his holiness sud
denly fixed his eyes, even now bright
and by no means lifeless, on them.
saying:
This time, doctor, you will not win
In, AR v1,ttk Aanth
ut is your holiness who is brave"
replied DR.. Lapponi. but before the re-
mark was uttered the pope was again
unable to understand what was said.
Although it is really impossible to
say who will be the successor of Pope
Leo to the chair of st. Peter until after
the college Of cardinals has met In
solemn conclave and chosen the new
pope from one Of their number, at the
same time several Of the cardinals
have been picked out by the general
public as being stronger papal possi-
bilities than the rest. First among
these is Cardinal Gotti, who is said to
be Leo's own choice. It will be re-
membered that before the pope's deth
Mgr. Gotti was closeted with the dying
pontiff, who is believed to have given
him parting instructions as to the ad-
ministration of church affairs. Car
dinal Rampolla, the papal secretary Of
state has always been regarded as one
Of those very near the throne" and
his chances of succeeding Leo are con-
sidered very bright Although these
two are generally considered the first
possibilities, at the same time there
is a large body Of Catholics who think
that the choice lies between Cardinals
Oreglia. Satolli and vanuntelli. Any
one of the above named may be
chosen for the great work, and on the
other hand the new pope may be
cardinal quite outside Of this group.
Choosing . Pope.
Following the announcement Of the
pope's death the cardinal camerlingo
knocked thrice on the door Of his bed
chamber. Getting no answer. he en-
tered and knocked thrice with q silver
mallet on the dead mans forehead and
called him thrice by name. He then
declared to the world that the pope
Is dead.
The body is then embalmed, and
after mass has been said over 1t in
the presence of the cardinals 1t is re-
moved to st. Peters. where 1t lies In