The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-21
Special Gable Despatch IN TIE SUN.


From THE SUN Correspondent at Rome.
ROME, July 2O--At 4:O4 o'clock this after
noon, according to the official announce
ment, Pope Leos long struggle with death
came to its inevitable end So many pre-
mature reports had been circulated, includ-
ing one from an official source earlier in
the day, that the first news was hardly
credited. A half a dozen times within a
fortnight his physicians and attendants
believed that the fatal hour had come, but
each time his infiexibe will conquered
physical disability for the moment until
there almost grew up in Rome confidence
in his power to defy the great destroyer
Tonight Catholic and non-religious
Rome alike unite in respect for the brave
and devoted spirit of the grand old man,
His end was peaceful, undimmed by de-
lirium. an end, in fact such as he desired
The clouds that eclipsed his mental faculties
yesterday drifted away, and he babe a
calm farewell to those about him, with
full knowledge that his last hour had come.
THE DEATH SCENE
II was II o'clock when the final change
indicated it's approach. The Pope signi-
fed to Mgr Angel. his favorite secretary,
that he desired to speak. Mgr Angel
leaned over him, hut was unable to hear
the faint words that the Pope uttered.
second time the dying man endea vored to
make himself understood, but failed. His
ewes became anxious, but. with an evident
effort, his third whisper into bis attendants
ear was comprehended.
Sef1or de Aguera. the Spanish Ambassa-
dor to the Vatican, who was on the other
side OF the couch, asked what the Pope said
Mgr. Angel, instead of replying shook his
head and dropped on his knees at the bed
side in prayer. the expression in the dying
Pontifr's face showing that his request had
been oomprehended.
A few minutes later the Pope's breathing
became most difficult. DR.. I4apponi ad-
ministered pure oxygen, but 1t had no effect,
Signs of life suddenly disappeared.
The Pope's valet, in alarm, exclaimed:
doctor. what is IT'D Is he dead?"
DR.. Lapponi evidently believed 80, for
he went to the door Of the anteroom.
where the Cardinals and prelates were
assembled. His face was so full of grief
that although he did not speak those as
sembled believed that the end had come
and crowded into the room, and the report
spread through the Vatican that the Pope
was dead.
Cardinal Vannutelli was among those
who entered. He began to repeat the
prayers for the dying, the others whisper
ing the responses. Presently the Pope
stirred, his pulse again beat and he
breathed family. but easily. Nearly all
those in the room stole out quietly, and
the Pope opened his eyes and presently,
to the amazement Of ALL he whispered a
wish to see the Cardinals. Once more
they all came into the room, and the Pope
whispered an adieu 10 each of them.
OLD CEREMONY OMITTED
Vatican officials say Of the last scene
that the Pope was In deep coma all day.
Life simply faded away without a rally or
incident.
About an hour after DR.. Lapponi pro-
nounced life extinct, Cardinal Oreglia di
Santo Stef ano entered the death chamber
to perform the solemn ceremony of Off
cially verifying his death He lifted the
cloth from the face Of the dead Pope and
in an impressive voice called three times:
"Peoci, answer" Then in an impressive
voice he declared: ~The Pope Is indeed
dead"
The old ceremony Of striking the forehead
of the dead PontifY three times with a silver
hammer was not performed.
HoNoRs TO THE DEAD PORE
When il was realized that the last breath
had been drawn, DR.. Lappon closed the
Pope's eyes and folded his hands upon his
breast. Cardinal Vnnnutelli knelt at the
bedside and intoned the prayers for the
dead. those present joining in tho responses
In broken voices and some of them weep
ing. After the relatives, Cardinals, de
plomatists and others had filed past the
Ii. . ', L.,