New-York tribune., 1903-07-20
BRONZE DOORS CLOSED.
A Sign Said to Denote Pontif' 8
Dedth-Censorship Possible.

is apparently stationary,
4sO0 "A. m.-when the Pope Is called by his
attendants he still makes great effort to
arouse him. elf from the torpor into which
he has sunk. but he Is again over
come.
1856 a m.-Now that the last moment in thsi
memorable life and reign of Pope Leo is ex-l
pected hourly. the contrast between the quiet
within and the excitement without the Vatican
is most striking. In the vast palace there Is,
a hushed calm of expectation. the only ap-
parent wakeful souls being the Swiss Guards.
The doctors and attendants OF the dying Pom
tiff speak in whispers and move noiselessly
about. so that from the sickroom sound
comes except the heavy breathing OF the un-
conscious Pope or his occasional cries for Pia,
Centra and DR.. Lapponi. his tone is one or
fear. as If he felt himself abandoned
In reality sleep Is very far from all eyes Mo-
matter at what hour death comes. the whole
palace will spring into sudden life. thought
touched by a magician's wand
In the Piazza of So. Peters. the con-
trary, all Is movement, there being an en-
campment of Journalists before the famous
bronze doors, which now closed In their
faces, and behind which the regular tramp
of the swiss Guards can be heard.
Many eyes are glued to the window in the
Pope's chamber. overlooking the piazza. while
the nearby cafes. especially those with tele-
phones. are crowded. Bicycles ready for use ara
piled up outside them. and cabs lingering
about. in the hope of catching fare.
The "Osservatore Romano the chief Vatican
organ has received orders to hold itself in readi-
ness to issue almost at a moments notice q
special edition. The only thing wanting to COM
pIete the paper is the hour of Pope Leo's death
contributing element to the weakness Of the
Pope has been his inability to take nOurishment.
When an attempt is made to administer restora-
tives although they are placed in his mouth he
does not swallow them
The Vatican has asked for special prayers for
the head of the Church
LYING IN STUPOR AT MIDNIGHT.
Mdnight-The Pontin lies tonight IN a
state of coma. and there are grave doubts on
the minds of his doctors whether he will ever
completely emerge from his stupor. His imne-
diate dissolution seems to be averted only by
the reliability Of the action OF his heart His
pulse, though weak continues steady. Shortly
before midnight DR.. LappOni said:
The Pope at the present moment is in state
of coma, which may be called a condition pre-
cedfpg the last agony. The duration OF ths
stupor is impossible to forecast. although every
thing leads to the belief that this condition can
not last To be more exact. he Is still in a state
of torpor from which. however, he rouses oc-
casionaIIy when he hears sharp sounds. such as
the insistent voice OF some one in the room
calling loudly to him. Left alone. he relapses
Immediately into a condition OF torpor. At IN
tervaIs he murmurs In his sleep. continuing q
have forebodings that he Is being abandoned by
his valet Centra. and myself.
These are the symptoms Of incpient cerebral
anamfa and general exhaustion He can no
longer turn in his bed without assistance. and
is being kept alive by stimulants- In the last
twenty-three hours he has had two hypodermto
injections of camphorated oil. three OF caffelrs
and TWO Of salt water. besides drinking stimu-
Iants.
Monsignor Bislotti master OF the Pope'z
chamber said earlier in the evening that tbs
pulse Of His Holiness had not yet shown any
signs of becoming intermittent So despite his
extreme weakness and coma. he believed tho
Pope would survive the night. and possibly to-
morrow.
Both the Italian Government and the au-
thorities of the Vatican have made final prepara-
tions for the Pope's death The government is
rigidIy censoring all kilograms and teIephonic
communications between Italy and the rest OF
the Continent
At this hour few people remain at the Vatican.
DR.. Mazzoni and Dr. Rossoni and the cardinals
have gone to their homes to await the last
urgent summons
SANK STEADILY THROUGH DAY
July 10-To-day each hour has added to the
gravity Of the reports from the sickroom OF the
Pontin until all Rome has waited. almost
breathIessly. in momentary expectation OF the
announcement of his death Since the state OF
depression which seized upon the Pope in the
latter part Of the night began his condition has
gone steadily downward and through the day
the most intense anxiety has prevailed
For the first time the weather was strongly
against him. n blistering heat fell upon the city.
and the great piazza OF ST. Peters took up the
fierce sunlight and threw it back against the
Vatican. until it seemed like fiery furnace
Even the slight breeze which prevailed came in
hot waves from the south This addeI seriously