Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-07-09
LIFE OF POPE
IS Ebb|NG AWAY
Aged Pontiff Catches Cold,
Which Settles in His
Chest and Head.
ALL HOPE HAS DISAPPEARED
Remarkable Constitution Gives Him
Strength for the Last Sacrament
Drops Into Sleep from Which He
Awakes in Great Pain.

Rome, July 6.-Rumors and reporta
of more or less foundation in fact
regarding the failing health Of the
pope seem to have been replaced by
a definite conviction among the ply.
sicians of His Holiness and also
among the higher Vatican circles that
Leo XIII probtbly has not much longer
to live.
The Publishers Press correspond
ent, after the most searching inter
views possible under thecircumstances
is able to state that the pope has slept
hardly a moment during the past 36
hours. is weaker than he has been ut
any time since his health began to per-
ceptibly fail and is the subject of the
gravest alarm to his physicians and
of almost hysterjeal fear to his immed-
late encourage.
In spite of his recent increased
weakness His Holiness in direct vio-
lation of the warnings of DR.. Lapponi
left his bed for the purpose of receiv
ing deputation of Hungarian pill.
grims. During the audience with the
Hungarian Catholics, the pope seem.
ed Individually more peeked and feeble
than at any time recently during the
many audiences he has granted. His
appearance did not belle his greatly
weakened condition and after the aud.
fence it became plain that the effort
had been too much for him. During
the afternoon he tainted and had to
be revived with stinulants by DR..
Lapponi, who, after the fainting spell.
hastily called in the aid of DIR. MAJ.
zoni, one of the best known practi-
TONERS in Rome.
A constitution was held and 1t was
decided to have his holiness driven
about the Vatican gardens. This was
done, and seemed temporarily to r
store his holiness to measure of in
creased strength.
: The seeming revivification was not
however, of any great duration. for a
relapse set in toward evening, SOD so
great was the alarm of DR.. Lapponi
that he staid at the bedside Of the
pope all night, and scarcely left him
for moment yesterday.
Rome, July 6.-3 a. m.-"God's will
be done. Who would have believed 1t,
when only ten days ago was presid-
ing over public consistory?" feebly
murmured Pope Leo as he felt himself
late last evening sinking into sleep
which lasted about three hours until
excruciating pain brought the dying
pontiff back to consciousness. He
groaned and complained of pains on
both sides of the thorax. Tenderly
DIR. Lapponi, assisted by Pope Leo's
valet, Piocentra, and the physicians
second assistant, De Castro, lifted the
frail form and changing the position,
succeeded in giving the patient some
relief.
Though lowering on the brink of
death the life of the pontiff is still pro-
longed by means of strong stimulants
and concentrated nourishment, and his
wonderful vitality may again resist
and conquer the attack of this Illness.
Late last evening, after the excitement
of the ceremony of the last sacraments
was over, the pope seemed less rest
less, partly soothed by dose Of chic
raj, which was given to him in consid-
cradle quantity.
The pontiff is lying on small bed
drawn up to a window overlooking the
piazza of st. Peters.
The interior of the vatican during
the early hours of 1his morning testi-
fies to the conviction that the passing
Of Pope Leo is very near.
The ante-chambers of the palace
were all through the night thronged
with officials of the church, high noble
men and members of the diplomatic
corps. kilograms of inquiry have
been received from several of the mon
Archs of Europe.
All kinds of speculation is already
In circulation as to the probable sue
cessor to the throne of st. Peter.
Opinions are much divided, owing to
the many interests which will be af-
fected according to the choice made
nv the sacred college.