The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-10
Falls Para|yzed to the Floor and Expires ImnG-
 diaGy
HIS DEATH CREATES 4
 PANIC IN THE VATICAN
Gloom Is Intensified and News Is Care fully Guarded From Dying Pontiff, Who May Never Know of
 Loss of Ills Secretary.

Rome, July s.-Monsignor Volponi, who was stricken with syncope yesterday, died early this morning shortly after the doo- tors in attendance announced that all hope of saving his life had been aoan- doned. Although the condition of the pope Is still the center of interest, the case of Monsignor yolponi has attracted much attention, not only because of his office of secretary of the consistorial con- gregation, to which he had just been ap- pointed by Pope Leo, but also on account of the manner in which he was seized by his fatal illness. and 1t is hardly possible to describe the sensation and emotion which prevailed at the vatican when his death was announced.
 From the moment he was stricken and fell to the floor Morsignor Volponi lost the entire power of speech and the use of the entire right side of his body, and he was apparently unconscious, when he died. It has been ascertained that the cause of death was cerebral congestion.
 Death Kept From Pope.
 The death of Monsignor volponi was
 
 the day. It was at first feared that 1t would be necessary to inform the pontiff in order that Monsignor Volponis success sor to the office of secretary to the con- sistory might bd nominated but after discussion by the vatican authorities 1t was decided that the precedents admit ted of the nomination of secretary with Tst,o chief importance of the position is felt at the time of conclave, so that 1t Is considered essential to fill Monsignor Vol ponls place, the cardinal camerlingo designating a secretary of the consistory. The procedure will permit the news of Monsignor Volponis death to be withheld from the pope indefinitely
 When the ameloration in the condition of the pope presented most favorable symptoms this morning, Pope Leo decid- ed, after Cardinal Rampolla, to receive | all the other cardinals living in Rome to the number of about twenty-five as a special mark of his qualification at the part they took in his illness A special notice was sent to them calling them to the vatican. Cardinals Oreglia, Gotti and | Dellavolpe were received and had a short conversation with his holiness, but soon after the dangerous condition of the patient developed, compelling Dr. Lapponi to stop the other receptions.
 pr. Rossonl Called.
 l When a consultation was decided on, | Dr. Rossoni being already in the ante chamber. pr. Lapponi cautiously inform ed the Pope that he had thought It bet | ter to ask the opinion and advice of an other physician. In view of the fact that | the phases of the disease were so varia- ble. He added that nothing grave was the matter, but that Dr. Mazzoni and he through conscientious scruples. wished to interrogate their colleague, Dr. Rossoni | The pope who by that time had again fallen into a state of prostration from which he had been free for thrty-six hours, but whose intellect remained per | fectly lucid. understood and received the news with calmness and serenity, say | ing that he would be glad to see Dr. | Rossoni. Dr. Rossoni on entering the bedroom bowed to the pontiff, saying he was highly honored to visit him. Hs tried to encourage the sick man. The pope answered in a weak voice.