Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-06

and his condition became 50 clltlca'
that it appeared that only few more
hours of life remained for him. Ii was
, therefore. deemed wise to advise MIN
of his grave condition and this WaS
done with tender precaution. Pope Leo
was thus prepared for his last COM
munion. which was administered. to-
night, with the participation OF all tEe
cardinals now in Rome and the whole
of the Pontifical court.
| The solemn yet gorgeous ceremony OF
administering the last sacraments took
place at the bedside of Pope Leo. me
central figure was the dying PohtiH'
whose long life's journey is nearly over
IcaImly preparing to enter the DARK Vait.
His pale and emaciated face, almost
as white as the pillows on winch II
! rested. showed little sign of life, eX-
cept the keen, glittering eyes always
his most striking feature.
Around the bed were grouped the
! Noble Guards, in their glittering uni
| forms, the knights Of the cloak ana
sword in their picturesque medieval
| costume of black with white ruffs, %
cardinals. all members of the Sacred
| College, who are present at Rome, state
! " and venerable figures in their sweep
| ing crimson robes, the whole forming
| a scene of rich, yet subdued coloring,
| a fit subject for the pencil of Rem
brandt. The whole of what is called
| the PontificaI family, headed by car
dinal Rampolo and including all the
| private chambcrlainS was there.
| Nearest to the bed stood the impos-
! ing, tail figure of the cardinal grand
penitentiary, Scyaiino Vannutelli, With
the Popes cOnfessor to hear the last
confession of the departing PontiffI
Then the priest apostolic approached
| bearing the viaticum to give the last
| communion and administer the ex7
treme JUNCTION, assisted by the grand
| pnnitentiary.
Pope Leo feebly recited the confession
| Of faith as formulated by the council
| of Trent and finally the words of abso-
| luton and the formular of indulgence
| i'll articulo mortis, We're solemnly pro-
naunced by the grand penitcntiaryI
| The heads of great religious orders who
We're present granted the Pope special
| Indulgence which they have the priv-I
| ilege of comforting. Then the touching
| prayers for a passing soul and a part
of the gospel, the Lords passion.
| AS the last words died aWaw, all
! fell on their knees The Pontff rails
| ing his almost transparent fingers with
feeble effort pronounced in scarcely
audible words his benediction on the
Sacred College and on all present and
then sank back on the pillows.
| There was scarcely a fearless eye in
| the whole asscmblage the sobs of the
Popes relatives We're plainly heard
and deep silence followed, only broken
now and again by murmured prayer
or pOus ejaculation.
In the portion of the Loggia of
Raphael, adjoining the papal apart
ments We're the families of Count Itic-
cardi Pecci and Count Moroni, the
| Popes nephews.
II p. M-The condition of His Holt
ness ut this hour, though still grave, is
not so serious as late this afternoon.
DR.. Lapponi administered camphor
caffeine and the amelioration result
ling was so marked that the Pontiff
called first his nephews and then his
private secretary and adjusted some
personal affairs which are pending.
| Dr. Mazzoni and DIR. LappOni now
think that the danger of q catastrophe
occurring during the night has been
averted. Indeed, they hope that unless
there is heart failure they will be able
| to keep their august patient alive for
q few days longer, especially if he will
willingly consent to, observe the ply
sican's prescriptions. This, however
is more difficult as his holiness pre-
serves his full consciousness and
argues and discusses the doctors pre-
acriptions. The latter fearing to cx-
cite him by contradiction, are some
times at a loss how to proceed.
| Rome, July 5.-2.5G A. M.-Thc Pope
| has had three hours sleep, but woke
with severe pains in the chest. Dr.
Lapponi gave him relief by changing his
position.
| London, July 6.-The morning papers
| devote much space to the news from
Rome concerning the condition of the
Pope. The concensus of opinion of the
correspondents is that the aged PontiT
can live but a few hours though there
is some hope that this extraordinary
vitality may prolong life even to some
days.
Westminster, Md July 5-Cardinal
Gibbons when shown The Associated
| Press bulletin, tonight, telling of the
Popc'S condition. said: This news brings
me profound sorrow. You may say tnat
in the event of the death of His Holiness
shall start Immediately for Rome be
cause | honor him for his greatness, cs-
t"cm him for his goodness and love him
for himself and for his great Kindness
| to me"
Tuning to those assembled. he read tho
| bulletins aloud and remarked: "rhcv are
| signed Lappcni. That shows that the
news is authentic and it gives me pro
| found SORROW"
CONSECRATED A BISHOP,
Cardinal MartineI!i Received the New