New-York tribune., 1903-07-21


gesticulating, dashed to and from the portals of
the Vatican. Like wireless message there
flashed around the words HE is dead"
Rubbing the afternoon sleep from their eyes,
bareheaded men and women, many carrying
babies, emerged from the darkened houses and
cafes and besieged the door Of the Vatican The
transformation was complete. The quick move
ment and tense feeling of the rapidly gathering
crowd now permeated where a few minutes be-
fore there had been no sign of life. The French
Ambassadors carriage drove furiously from the
Vatican and drew up at a nearby telegraph Of
flee. without waiting for the horses to stop the
Ambassador Jumped out and informed his gov
ernment of the Pope's death. There soon fol-
lowed the cardinals, who. with set faces. drove
slowly homeward.
Behind the shutters of Pope Leo's room which
still remain closed, all was over. The heavy
bronze doors were closed and entrance to the
Vatican was only obtainable by knocking at
little wicket, which was closely kept within by
the Papal Guard and without by the italian
police. The police had been slightly reinforced.
but had no difficulty In controlling the crowds,
who were allowed to remain In the square. just
as they were accustomed to do before the death.
but not to enter the Vatican itself.
Carriages kept rafting up, their occupants
mostly holding In their hands extra editions
announcing the Pope's death which the local
papers quickly printed. On the steps of st.
Peters sat a group of young Roman princes
h-r,r
almost every type of peasant and working
women. few entered the basilica itself and
there offered up prayers for Pope Leo's soul
Among the supplicants were many monks who.
with hands uplifted. prayed long and earnestly
at the gates OF the dimIy lighted shrines.
SCENES IN THE MORNING HOURS
Through the morning the Pope lay at deaths
door. Shortly before noon he was seized with
sinking SPELL So near death was the Pontiff
that Cardinal vannutelli. the Grand Peniten-
tiary. began at his bedside to recrte the prayers
for the dying. and administered absolution in
articulo mortis. The Pope. however. once again
demonstrated his marvellous vitality by rally
ing from the apparently fatal reizure. but only
to relapse Immediately into state of semi-con-
sciousness.
The Pontiff had heeting spells when reason re-
asserted itself In one Of these conscious peri
DDS he murmured benedictions and solemnly
confded the interests OF the Church to Cardinal
Oreglia, Dean of the Sacred College.
A stop had been put to the frequent visits
made to Pope Leos sick chamber, although the
presence OF callers to-day could have harmed
him little. While he was conscious these visits
exhausted him. but It his wish that visitors
| should be admitted and the attending doctors
thought it better not to oppose his wishes
QUIET IN THE sICKRooM.
This morning the sickroom was the most
tranquil spot in the Vatican. The Pontifr lay
on his bed, whose pillows were not whittier than
his face. which had a strange aspect owing TO
his not having been shaved for so long His
hands were folded over the rosary which he
had used for over fifty years. The armchair
stood near, with his stick beside it. While Centra
his valet. prayed and wept before the large ivory
| crucifix, DR.. Lapponi sat by the bedside, ready
for any emergency. The doctor from time to
time rose to administer nourishment He sue
ceeded in having the Pope swallow several tea
| spoonfuls of coffee. milk and brandy mixed
The silence of the sickroom was occasionally
broken by a hacking cough. due to the gath
ering of phlegm in Pope Leo's throat These
coughing spells had the effect Of rousing the
Pontin, causing him to open his eyes and revive
slightly.
While the doctors were examining their pa
tient this morning. believing him to be in a
stupor, His Holiness suddenly fixed his eyes
even bright and by no means nfeless on
them, saying:
This time, doctors. you will not win in your
brave fight with death"
'It is your Holiness who is brave renlie5 r,r
Lapponi, but before the remark was ended tba
Pope again became unconscious
VANNUTELLI GIVES ABsoIUT1oN
At 1l:4O a. m. there was great alarm at the
Vatican, as the Pope was suffering from a grave
increase of cardiac affection DR.. I,apnoni
really thought the end was at hand and Car
dinal serafno vannutelli, the Grand PenI-
tentiary began the prayers for the dying and
gave the Pontif absolution in articulo mortis.
His death was considered so imminent that all
the cardinals were present and the members of
the diplomatic corps were admitted to the s,cL
ROOM as according to tradition, Popes must die
surrounded by the Sacred College, the PontiAcal
Court and the diplomats accredited To ths vsti
can