The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-07
Deep Gloom ShrOuds the His tOriG Building of the
 PapaCy
PATHETlCALLY THE AGED
 PONTIFF CLINICS ID LIFE
Surrounded by He Faithful Physician and Attendants Ho Takes Strange
 Interest in tho Telearams of Coincidence.

Rome. July 7,--s:ss a, m.-Another morn- ing has broken on the scene within the simple chamber of the vatican where Pope Leo lies dying. As the soft light of dawn penetrated Into the room tho pontin whispered to his devoted physician that he desired the shutters of the windows to be opened, saying;
 q wish to see once more, perhaps for the last time, the rays of the sum-
 It was for only short period that the pope came back to consciousness from a sleep which Dr. Lapponi had induced by A strong dose of chloral. His sleep was so death-like that artificial respiration was resorted to, and pr. Lapponi every few minutes leaned anxiously over the couch to observe the patient and to lis :, :, to his hardly perceptble breathing.
 Pope Leo awoke wet with precipitation. feeble in the extreme and his voice hardly audible. The fit of coughing had brought pains in his chest and shoulders, and thinking his end was near, he said to Dr. Lapponi:
 "Tell me when the time really comes" :" The doctor assured his holiness that he believed the danger of his immediate death was averted for the night and for today.
 Soemnity of Dying.
 The seemingly last moments of Pope Leo are full of solemnty. Perhaps his last hours would be less melancholy and sad if the august sufferer were less con- scious of the circumstances, and his mind less clear as to the duration of the time remaining to him before .le enters eter- nity Although his physical powers are at the last ebb, and his breathing be- comes more laborous, the pope's mind is clear as is manifested to all around hiil by his bright, expressive eyes, and the few words he now and then succeeds in uttering. The scene is so touching that those present can scarcely restrain their tears Count Camille Pecci, the popes nephew, whom the dying man keeps by his bedside, was so exhausted last night by his contending emotions that he had to be taken from his uncle's room com petely worn out. A few moments before as he stood beside the bed, Pope Leo laid his hand on Camillos head, saying: Take courage"
 Extreme Unction Received.
 Shortly before 10 o'clock at night the pontiff received the extreme unction. At } o'clock his condition seemed so hope less that only a short time apparently remained before he would glide into his last sleep
 At Dr. Lapponis initiative a nasty consultation of the pope's relatives, Car dnal Rampolla and other ecclesiastics was held, and 1t was decided that extreme unction should be given. The pontiff received the announcement with his usual calmness and though scarcely able to speak audibly, he said he knew his time had come and he was ready to appear before the Sublime Tribunal with full trust in divine mercy.
 Monsignor Pifferi Pope Leos confessor. administered the extreme unction and when the ceremony was over, his holi- ness sank back on the pillow with ap- parent relief that all was done and that he was entering into rest after his long pilgrimage. After the administration of the viaticum. teegrams hoping for his recovery were shown to the pope and he appeared to be much gratifed.
 A Strange Feature.
 One of the strangest features of his condition Is the interest the pope takes In telegrams 1nqulring about his health. Yesterday after having heard that a French woman whom he had received in audience a few weeks ago had telegraph ed a message of sympathy. he asked to see the dispatch and when Mongisnor Pifferi brought 1t he was not satisfied with looking at the message but wished to read It.
 From the piazza of St. Peters the groups of watchers can see figures fiit- tering to and fro past the lighted win dows of the palace, an unusual number of which are illuminated.
 It is thought certain that the visit to France of the king and queen of Italy now arranged for July IS will be post poned as in the event of termination of the pope's illness King Victor Emmanuel will be unable to leave the kingdom until the successor to the pontifical throne has been elected and installed