Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1903-07-06
POPE LE0'S END NEAR
Last Sa,.raments Administered
and Aged Pontiff Pronounces
Benediction on All Present.
LOWERING ON BRINK OF DEATH
Life still Prolonged by stimulants and
Concentrated Nourishment-Specu.
Iation Rife as to successor-Inqui.
ries from Europe's Monarchs.

fieS from EufopeS Moh@fChs'
Rome. July 6-3 a. m.-"God's will
be done. Who would have believed 1t,
when only IL days ago was presiding
over a public eonsistory?' murmured
feebly Pope Leo as he felt himself,
late last evening, sinking into sleep
which lasted about three hours until
exeruciating pain brought the dying
pontiff back to consciousness. He
groaned and complained of pains on
both sides of he thorax. Tendefly
DR.. Lapponi assisted by Pope Leo's
valet, Pho Contra, and the physicians
second assistant, De Castro, lifted the
flail form and changing the position,
succeeded in giving the patient some
relief
Though lowering on the brink of
death, the life of the pontiff is still
prolonged by means of strong stimu-
lants and concentrated nourishment,
and while he is still alive his wonder
full vitality may again resist and con-
quer the attack of this illness.
Last Sacrament Administered.
The solemn yet gorgeous ceremony
of administering the last sacrament
took place at the bedside of Pope Leo.
The central figure was the dying pom
tiff, whose long LIES journey is nearly
over, calmly preparing to enter the
dark valley. His pale and emaciated
face. almost as white as the pillows
on which it rested showed little sign
| of life, except the keen glittering
eyes, always his most striking fea-
ture.
Around the bed were grouped the
noble guards, in the glitterlng uni
/ form, the knights of the cloak and
sword, their picturesque medieval cos
! tune of black with white ruffles; %
] cardinals, all the members of the sa-
cred college who were present in
Rome stately and venerable figures in
their sweeping crimson robes the
whole forming a scene of rich yet sub
| dued coloring, fit subject for the
pencil of Rembrandt. The whole of
what is called the pontifical family,
headed by Cardinal Rampolla and in
/ Guiding all the private chamberlains,
were there. Nearest to the bed stood
the imposing, tall figure Of the card
iral grand penitentiary, Serafno Van
uutelli. with the pope's confesser, to
/ hear the last confession of the de-
parting pontiff Then the priest apos-
tolic approached bearing the viatieum
to give the last communion and adj
minister the extreme JUNCTION, assisted
by the grand penitentiary. Pope Leo
feebly recited the confession of faith,
as formulated by the council of Trent,
and finally the words OF absolution
and the formula Of Indulgence in
articulo mortis were solemnly pro-
nounced by the grand penitentiary.
Pope Pronounced Benediction.
The heads of the great religious or
ders who were present granted the
pope the special indulgences which
they have the privilege of comforting.
Then came the touching prayers for a
passing soul and part of the gospel
the Lords passion. AS the last words
died away all fell on their knees. The
pontiff, raising his almost transparent
fingers with a feeble effort, pro
nounced in scarcely audible words his
benediction on the sacred college and
on all present and then sank back on
the pillows. There was scarcely n
fearless eye in the whole assemblage;
plainly heard. Deep silence followed
only broken now and again by muir
INJURED prayer or pious ejaculation
/, In the portion of the loggia Of
Raphael. adjoining the papal apart
ments, were the families of Count
Ricardo Pecci and Count Moroni. the
pope's nephews.
Late last evening after the excite
ment of the ceremony Of the last sac
raments was over the pope seemed
} less restless. partly soothed by the re
ligious service and partly by a dose
of choral, which was given to him il
considerable quantities.
End Is Near.
i, The pontiff is lying on small bet
, drawn up to a window overlookin.
the piazza of st. Peters. The onl1
picture in the room is an antique Ma
donna and the sole ornament a grea
ivory erucifx.
! The interior of the vatican durini
r the early hours of this morning test
fies to the conviction that the passini
OF Pope Leo is very near. The court
yard of ST Damasco is filled with tn
carriages of the cardinals. Cardina
Satolli drove to Rome from Ftascat
the beautiful carriage horses covere
with dust and eIs.ration In tn
eortile are drawn u the carriages Q
the cardinals and of many notables
Servants and messengers hurry acros
the court with bundles of huge wa
tapers and with the robes of the et
cleslastical dignitaries who are wal
ing within the palace. The ant
chambers of the palace were a
through the night thronged wit
princes Of the church, high nobleme
and members of the diplomatic corp!
Telegrams Of inquiry have been re
6 ceived from several OF the monarch
OF Europe.
c Probable Successor.
l. All kinds OF speculation are alread