The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-07
sICK-ROOM INCIDENTS.
The Pontfn Shows His Imperious VIII
Messages of Sympathy.

Messages OF sympathy.
ROME, July 6.-The Pope was slightly
improved this morning. The amelioration
in his condition was unnatural consider
ing the gravity Of his illness. that Ii was
feared that possibly it was only the last
Pickering OF the vital flame. During this
brighter Interval the Pope resumed his hab-
its of command and insisted on giving
orders for the preparation of the brief ap-
pointing Monsignor Volponi, acting secre-
tary Of letters to princes as secretary of the
consistorial congregation. a post vacant
owing to the promotion OF Monsignor
Nocella to the cardinalate. The Importance
of such appointment, especially at the
present moment, is manifest. when II is
considered that on the Pope's death the
secretary of state ceases to exercise his
functions. which are assumed Immediately
by the secretary Of the consistorial con-
gregation.
AS the Pope objected to having the oxy-
gen inhaling apparatus continually under
his nostrils DR.. Lapponi arranged to i'm
pregnate the whole atmosphere of the room
with oxygen. THAT is much better" said
the Pontiff. Before / felt as though /
had lost my liberty
Although DIR. Lapponi continually recon-
no attention to what is passing outside. the
Pope gently refuses to abandon participa-
ton in what is going on. He said smiling
TO DR.. Lapponi: II know you say this be-
cause of your affection for me. but either
my last day Is rapidly approaching, in
which case i must employ all the time
which is left to me- or else shall recover
postponing the end If this is the will OF
the Almighty nothing can change it,"
The Pope wished his arm chair TO be car
ried near his writing table and then TO the
lind nu
Peter. Noticing many people in carriages,
the Pope said: THE piazza looks as 1t
does when l am able to perform some pub
DIR. Lapponi's chief task now is the main
tenance of the Pope's strength. Some i'm
provenent was indicated this afternoon by
the fact that the patient was more willing
to take nourishment. which was admins
:Sfei at short intervals and consisted chief
ly Of bordeaux, champagne, raw eggs and
broth, but the doctor would permit the
Pope TO partake of anything in reason for
which he expressed a desire. there is
special danger in the possibility OF in
creased weakness.
The only persons allowed in the Pope's
bedroom this morning, besides the doctors
and attendants, were Cardinal Rampolla,
Mgr. Bisleti the master of the pontifical
chambers aud Brsadier o General Count
nephew of the Pope. The Pope conversed
for a long time with Count Pecci. even ris-
ing and walking about the room a Few
on this occasion remarked: Now l am
ready to depart, having settled all my
affairs. / feel have done all In my power
for the good of the church and of human
The Pope, during the day, also received
Count Rlccardo Pecci, another nephew
and spoke to him with great serenity of the
probability that he would not long be with
him. and then the Pontiff received his secre-
taries, Monsignors Angel and Marsolini
conversing with them regarding personal
hfc NOS
and giving direction as to the disposal OF
his books.
The Pontiff makes eager inquiries as 10
what communications have been received
at the Vatican from foreign rulers and
was extremely pleased to learn that NJ
Nizard, the French ambassador to the vati-
had in spite Of the strained d rel Ielaf HoS
See. called daily during the Pontins Ill,
ness and had expressed TO Cardinal
Rampolla the concern OF the French gov
eminent as well as that of President
Loubet. On hearing that the Austrian am
bassador to the Vatican, Count Szecsen ID.
Temerin, was i'll, the Pope expressed his
sorrow and said he hoped IL was not as
serious as his own case When the Pope
was informed of Emperor Francis Joseph
dispatch, communicated 10 the Natcan py
the Austrian embassy, he said: Tine EN-
peror and 1 are the only survivors OF the
past generation"
The newspapers here contain many con-
hicting statements about the Pope and his
his time partly i'm bed and partly in an arm
chair. Expectorating is the first sign thus
far of any organic reaction. and IL Is salu
to be a good symptom, but the Pope's
weakness is increasing"
All those who have seen the Pope are
struck with his indomintable energy. He is
reported as still addressing those about him
in imperious tones. No doubt the Pontlff
! is reported TO have said. 81 am near my end,
but 1 want to die in harness.
Over five hundred kilograms expressing
| sympathy with the Pope or asking for news
| of his condition arrived at the Vatican to-
| day, including messages from President
| Roosevelt, King Edward and Emperor
| Francis Joseph. Dowager Queen Mar
| gherita is reported to have asked for news
| about the Pontiff The most important tele-
| grams of inquiry are communicated to the
| Pope.
After receiving the sacrament yesterday
| the Pope said: II am now near my end.
| do not know If all 1 have done has been
| good, but l certainly obeyed my conscience
| and oul faitn."
The Pontift yesterday ordered that piano
no civ ~ his pran6-npnheWS also giving