The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-07-30
DEATH OF POPE LEO.
VENERABLE HEAD OF THE CATH.
OLIC WORLD is NO MORE.
Statesman, Ruler, Diplomat, Author,
Mora1ist, Priest, Bishop, aud for
Quarter of Century the Spiritual
Head of $50, 100000 Catholics.

Pope Leo MIL, for a quarter of cen
tury the spiritual head of 250,OOO.OOO
Catholics, is dead. The pontif was in
his 9th year As statesman, ruler. dip
lomat, author and moralist lie was great
ly beloved by his adherents. and the
wide world, irrespective of creed, or race,
or grade of civilization, expresses sorrow-
ing sympathy.
In the presence of DIR. Lapponi. DIR.
Mazzoni, Count Pecci, his nephew. and
the high dignitaries of the church, the
venerable pontiff has passed quietly
away. Intense stiffness pervaded the
barely furnished bedroom in the Vatican
at Rome, where the pontiff lay. broken
only by the occasional sob that could not
be restrained by some one Of those who
surrounded the deathbed. This silence
lasted even after all was over, and was
broken only after the physicians had
made the final examination and had an
nounced the demise.
The final illness of his holiness began
with the fatigue of the drive he took in
the Vatican gardens on Wednesday, July
/. His medical attendants, Drs. Lapponi
and Mazzoni, advised against the taking
Of this drive, but the determination of
the Pope to look over the gardens he
had loved so long and so well could not
be gaineaid. On his return from this
drive of an hour and a half he showed
signs of exhaustion. From this time his
frail life had been ebbing like the pass
ing of low wind.
By Friday morning his holiness had
developed what his physicians described
as senile pneumonia. 1t was the first
time in the history of his long and event
full life that the breakdown of his Won
derfui system seemed imminent. His
stomach refused to act. His lungs con-
gested. Breathing seemed impossible.
The most heroic restoratives were ap-
piled and brought some relief. The i'll
ness first described as senile pneumonia
soon developed into pleuro-pneumOnia.
the pleura, or membrane surrounding the
lung, becoming inflamed. From the time
this symptom developed his holiness lay
lowering on the brink of eternity.
Twice during his last illness it became
necessary to perform operations on the
Pope to give him relief. After the sec
ond operation the Pope gradually gained
strength until the following Sunday. By
Saturday afternoon he was so much bet
ter that many at the Vatican hoped for
his recovery. On Thursday, Friday and
Saturday he held conferences in his
chamber with Cardinal Rampclla and
other prelates regarding the affairs of
the church, and on Saturday. with the
permission of his. physicians, he received
q visit from two of his nieces.
On Monday night, July 6, he sank so
low that his physicians thought he was
dying. He then received extreme unc
ton, the last rite of the church for the
dying. The following Saturday and again
Sunday he heard mass read.
Thus bravely fighting to prolong his
life of usefulness on earth and serenely
awaiting the summons that should call
him to eternity. Pope Leo XIII. sank
peacefully into his long rest.
Notwithstanding his physical suffer
Ggs the Pope's mind remained active and
brilliant almost to the last. He appoint |
ID Mgr. Volponi to the vacant sec
of the Consitorial congre-
cation, an appointment the importance
Of which is readily seen when it is con-
sidered that on the Pope's death the
duties of the secretary of state are iE-
mediately assumed by the secretary of
the congregation. Thus with his eyes |
looking into the face of death he inter- .
ested himself in guarding against any
confusion consequent upon his passing
away.
The Pope had no fear of the final dis
solution. He spoke of life and death
with equal serenity. Il am ready to de- |
part" he said to a relative. Count Pecci |
having settled all my affairs. 1 feel
have done all in my power for the !
good of the church and of humanity"
And yet in Pope Leo as he calmly |
laced the inevitable end there was much |
Of the hum an side of our nature. He |
made eager inquiries as to the kilograms |
Of sympathy and inquiry received from