The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-20
Pope Leo is Rapidly Sinking
Beneath the Weight Of
Age and Disease
INTENSE EXCITEMENT
PREVAILS IN ROME
Fiery Rays of the Sun Contribute to
Depression Of the August Pom
tlff-cardinaI Tuto Re-
celves the BenedictIon.

Rome. July 1s.-Today each hour has
added to the gravity of the reports from
the sick room of the pontiff until all Rome
has 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
latter part of last night his condition has
gone steadily downward, and throughout
the day the most intense anxiety has pre-
vailed. For the first time, also, the
weather was strongly against him. A blis
tering heat fell on the city and the great
piazza of st. Peters took up the fierce
sun and threw it back against the vati-
can until it was like fiery furnace. Even
the slight breeze which prevailed came in
hot waves from the south. This seriously
added to the discomfort of the patient.
He had spent restless night, sleeping
only for short intervals, and even then
his sleep was agitated.
DR.. Lapponi remained in the sick room
throughout the night. At the morning
conference the physicians noted distinct
change for the worse, particularly in the
accelerated pulse which has risen to 49,
after remaining for many days between So
and 90. The distinguished patient ap-
peared to have lost all of that vitality
which he has hitherto so remarkably
maintained. He appealed piteously 10
those about him, asking not to be left
alone. Although his mental vigor was
nearly exhausted, he asked again that
mass be celebrated. This was performed
in the room adjoining that in which the
pontiff lay. He followed the ceremony and
took communion with extreme difficulty.
Sinks Exhausted.
Almost Immediately he sank into state
of complete exhaustion. At first this took
on the character Of an unnatural sleep
and he lay as one inanimate with his eyes
closed. But occasionally he started up
and cried out as though in fear Gradu-
ally, however, his breathing became heav-
Ter. and his condition assumed only semi
consciousness or torpor. After noon there
was hardly any revival from this contin-
ned state of torpor, and the doctors re-
rnained continuously in attendance
Their night bulletin announced for the
first time that the patient had been In
state of coma, which they said had been
almost uninterrupted during the uay'
How long this condition would commune
they did not venture to say. AS Dr- lap
noni came from the sick room at O'Clock
this afternoon for a breath of fresh air.
he summed up the steady decline In the
natient,s condition by saying:
.sThe 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 anticipat-
ha roll Iof4c cch
many hours"
Intense Excitement In Rome.
Meantime the critical condition of the
pontiff had caused intense excitement
throughout the city. When the state OF
coma first occurred today, the doctors
formally communicated the gravity of the
condition of his holiness to Cardinal Ram
polla, who In turn advised the cardinals
of the sacred college. At the same time,
the general public became aware of the
alarming chance in the pope's condition.
and the entrance of the vatican was soon
thronged with dignitaries of the church
and members of the diplomatic corps,
making anxious inquiries Twice rumors
of the death of the pontiff had gained
circulation The cardinals and diplomats
upon their arrival were informed of the
gravity of the situation, but many of them
left upon learning that the rumors of the
pope's death were untrue.
The condition of coma was interrupted
shortly after sunset
Cardinal Wives 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 to his couch and
the pope seemed reused from his stupor
and showed signs of consciousness.
He lifted his head. Cardinal Wives Y
Tuto seized the opportunity to approach
the bed and tell the pontiff that some
cardinals were in the antechamber
II, myself" said he, desire to have
your benediction."
Pope Bestows Blessing.
The pope with great effort raised
trembling hand and in an almost in
audible voice. between long pauses, gave
the cardinal the pontifcal blessing. The
effort however. appeared to be too
much for him and he fell back into a
condition of unconsciousness.
Among the cardinals who came to the
vatican today was Cardinal Oreglia, the
dean of the sacred college, upon whom
will fall the chief duty of directing af-
fairs when the pope's death occurs. He
went to the apartments which have al
ready been prepared for his permanent
occupation, and 1t was believed that he
had taken up his residence at the vati-
IAN In anticipation of his speedy assump
lion of the important duties he will be
.alled upon to perform. Later, however,
he left the vatican. Cardinal Serafno
Vannutelli the great penitentiary, also
rrrived in readiness to perform his Of
ice of reciting prayers for the dying
Dontiff He remained at the vatican con-
iinuously throughout the afternoon and
vening Towards night the reports from
he sick room continued to be OF the
rravest character Cardinal Della Vol
,ok coming from the vatican. said he
lad held a brief conversation with DIR.
lapponi and that the latter had made
ne following statement:
III nothing new happens. the patient
nay live until tomorrow morning. per-
,aps until evening, that is. twenty-four