The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-20
INCIDENTS OF SUNDAY.
Intense Heat Helped to Sap the Dying
POntin's Strength.


: ROME. July 19.-To-day each hour has
added to the gravity of the reports from
the SICK room of the Pontiff until all Rome
mas waited almost breathlessly. in momen-
tary expectation OF the announcement Of
his death Since the state of depression
which seized upon the Pope during the lat
ter part of the night his condition has
gone steadily downward, and throughout
the day most intense anxiety has prevailed
For the first time, also, the weather was
strongly against the patient. A blistering
heat fell on the city and the great piazza of
st. Peters took up the fierce sun and threw
it back against the Vatican until it was
like fiery furnace. Even the slight breeze
which prevailed came in hot waves from
the south. This seriously added to the dis
comfort of the patient. He had spent a
restless night, sleeping only for short in
tervals. and even then his sleep was agi-
tated. DIR. Lapponi remained in the sick
room throughout the night. At the morning
conference the physicians noted distinct
change for the worse. particularly in the ac-
CELEBRATED pulse. which had risen to 9S after
remaining for many days between SIS and 60
At $3.50 a. m. the following medical bull
letin was issued by the Popes physicians:
The night was sleepless, with little tran
quillity. The Pope's strength continues de-
pressed. His respiration is calm, but SUI
perficial. at "a; pulse regular. full. but
weak. at 80: temperature, 800 centgrade.
APPEALED PITEOUSLY.
AS the morning progressed the distin-
guished patient appeared to have lost all
OF that vitality which he has hitherto SO
remarkably maintained. He appealed pit
eously to those about him, asking not to be
left alone. Although his mental vigor was
nearly exhausted he again asked that mass
be celebrated. This was performed in a room
adjoining that in which the Pontiff lay. He
followed the ceremony and took communion
with extreme difficulty. Almost immediate
ly he sank into a state of complete ex-
haustion. AT first this took on the character
of an unnatural sleep and he lay as one
inanimate with his eyes closed. But occa-
sionally he started up and cried out as
though in fear. Gradually. however, his
sleep became heavier and assumed con-
dition of semi consciousness or torpor.
After noon there was hardly any revival
from this continued state of torpor and
the doctors remained continually in at
tendance Their night bulletin announced
for the first time that the patient had been
in a state Of coma which had been almost
uninterrupted during the day. How long
this condition would continue they would
not venture to say. As DR.. Lapponi came
from the sick room at o'clock this even
ing for a breath of fresh air he summed
up the steady decline in the patients con-
dition by saying:
1.-The Pope's condition tonight is worse
than this morning or last night, and while
the end may come at any moment, yet
an imminent catastrophe is hardly antict-
pated. as the state of coma may be pro-
longed many hours"
INTENSE EXCITEMENT.
Meantime the critical condition of the Pom
tiff had caused intense excitement through
out the city. When the state of coma first
occurred the doctors formally communicated
the gravity of the condition of his Holiness
to Cardinal Rampolla, who in turn advised
the cardinals of the Sacred College. AT the
same time the general public became aware
of the alarming change In the Popes con-
dition, and the entrance of the Vatican was
soon thronged with dignitaries of the church
| and members of the diplomatic corps, MAX
ing anxious inquiries Twice rumors OF the
death of the Pontin had gained circulation.
The cardinals and diplomats, upon their
arrival, were informed of the gravity OF the
situation, but many of them left upon learn
ing that the rumors of the Popes death were
untrue. The condition Of coma was inter
rupted shortly after sunset. Cardinal wives
v Tuto and Monsignor Pifferi. the Pope S
| confessor, were then called into the sick
ROOM When they began to repeat Latin
! prayers the familiar sound of the Language
which Leo XIII loved so well penetrated 10
| his couch, and the Pope seemed reused from
! his stupor and showed signs OF conscious
| ness He lifted his head Cardinal wives
Tuto took advantage of the opportunity to
| approach the bed and tell the Pontiff that
some cardinals were in the ante-chamber.
| II myself" said he, "desire to have your
| benediction."
| GAVE THE PAPAL BLESSING.
The Pope with great effort. raised
trembling hand and in an almost inaudible
voice, between long pauses, gave the cardi'
nal the pontifical blessing. The effort, how
ever. appeared to have been too much fol
hin. and he fell back into a condition OF
| Inconsistencies
| Amazing the cardinals who came to the
| vatican to-day was Cardinal Oreglia, dear
of the sacred College. upon whom will fal
tho chief duty Of directing affairs when the
| pone,s death occurs. He went to the apart
,oents. which have already been prepared
Il for his permanent occupation. and 1t wa:
| believed that ne has taken up his residence
on rhe Vatican in anticipation of his speedy
assumption of the important duties he viii
he called upon TO perform. Later, however
ha Left the Vatican. Cardinal Scrafin'
vannutelli. the great penitentiary. als'
arr,ved in readiness TO perform his offic'
Of reciting prayers for the dying Pontiff
ne remained at the Vatican continuousl.
tnro,ph the afternoon and evening.
rewards night the reports from the sicl
ION, continued of a grave character
card,nal Della yope, coming from tn
ya,ican. said he had held a brief converse
t,on with Dr. Lapponi and that the latte
- made the following statement:
..If nothing new happens the patient ma,
a.. until tomorrow morning. perhaps un
-, evening, that is. twenty-four hours
,an.sr But beyond this his survival i
impossible
,,r,ner of carriages were stationed Ii
.ns courtyard of San Damaso in READINGS
- bring the cardinals to the Vatican whe
- .s..ronbe seemed imminent.