The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1903-07-11
SAYS FAREWELL TO RELATIVES.
Summoned at Popes Request for Final
Leave Takjnu,

Leave Taking.
Rome. July S.-There is no denying
that the life of the pontiff is slowly
wasting away. There are moments
when he seems better and others in
which he is worse, but no one doubts
that hour by hour, moment by mo-
ment. he is leaving the world.
BY the pope's express desire all his
relations have been to see him during
the day. The scene was most touch
ing. His nephews, to whom he has been
real father, entered the room sob.
bling. His holiness soothed them, say
ing:
Il feel the moment approaching
when must leave you. Say our last
goodbye. am about to enter the eter-
nal life. But do not grieve for me.
am about to enter my real happiness" "
Before leaving the room they all
kissed the hand of the pontiff rever-
emily, probably for the last time.
The pope during the morning ex-
pressed the desire of again taking
communion, Notwithstanding the fact
that he received the last communion
on Sunday and extreme unction Mon
day evening. Mgr. Marolini, one, of the
chamberlains, performed both cere.
monies. The pope showed great Sc
renity, repeating that he felt quite pre-
pared to leave the world. In spite of
this he now and then expressed the
hope that he might yet recover.
Knows the End Is at Hand.
When DR.. Mazzoni went to the Vat.
lean on his morning visit DR.. Lapponi
me n full 0p< ~, IS -
the pope had passed the night. When
both entered the sick room Pope Leo
smiled benevolently at DR.. Mazzoni,
but seemed not to have sufficient
strength to speak. The doctor asked:
"How is your holiness?"
To this inquiry the pontiff, in a
faint voice, replied:
II have no illusion and am resigned" "
Then he raised his eyes, while his
lips moved, evidently in prayer
The doctors then proceeded to make
| most minute examination of the pa
tient, listening to his breathing and
testing his lungs. Shortly after the
following bulletin was issued:
'The pope passed restless night,
| without sleep. Nourishment, however,
has been more freely taken and the
/
little more reassuring. An objective
right of the thorax and the middle
did not permit the passage of air, now
allows the air to pentrate. On the
| other hand the interior zone has be.
come more obtuse and the transmits
sion of vocal and tactile vibration ID
tn h1 hof
there Is liquid in the pleura. The &C.
SO as to render the renal function in.
last phalanges of the hands"
Willingly Submits to Operation.
The calmness with which the pope
underwent the ordeal of the operation
was one of the most remarkable evi
dences of fortitude that he had given
in his whole life. After lengthy con
ference the doctors concluded it was
advisable to operate for pleurisy, the
primary purpose being to explore the
| affected parts. They hoped Incl.
dentally to draw off the collected fluid
When their determination was com
municated to the pontif he showed nc
anxiety. On the contrary he submit
ted very willingly, expressing the hope
that good results might come, recalling
the successful results following DR.
Mazzoni's operation some years age
for cyst. AS the operation was not o1
a capital nature no chloroform was
used. The pope lay on his bed with his
left side exposed below the armpit to
the waist. Only the two doctors and
two personal attendants we're within
the chamber. The immediate direction
of the operation devolved on Dr. MAJ
zoni, who handled the instruments
and made the preparatory: arrange
ments. Under his skillful guidance
the operation scarcely occupied ovel
| four minutes.
The pope manifested no pain what
ever, neither was there the slightest
/ culver Of moral dread Of the operation