The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-07-10
TIE P|)P['S REIGN ENDING.
Leo XIII. Calmly Passing From
Life Unto Death-Extrerue
Unction Administered.
FULL TRUST IN the DIVINE MERCY
PonttM--lmpressi~e Group Sur
rounds the Central Figure In
Death hamber-spesks Of Life
and Death with Same Serenity.

Rome, July Z. 3:55 a. m.--Another
morning has broken on the pathetic
scene within the simple chamber II
the vatican where Pope Leo lies dy-
Ing. As the soft light Of dawn pene.
trated into the room the pontifi
whispered 10 his devoted physician
that he desired the shutters Of the
windows 10 be opened saying:
II wish 10 see once more, perhaps
for the last time, the rays of the
sun"
1t was Just short while after the
pope came back TO consciousness
from sleep which DIR. Lapponi had
induced by a strong dose Of choral.
His sleep was SO deathlike that arti-
fetal respiration was continued. and
DIR Lapponi every few minutes leaned
anAiously over the couch to observe
the illustrious patient and listen IS
his hardly perceptible breathing
Pope Leo awoke without perSpiration,
feeble to extreme and his voice hardly
audible. The fits Of coughing haG
brought pains in his chest aud shoul
dcrs. and thinking his end was now
near. he said 70 DR.. Lapponi;
Tell me when the time really
comes
The doctor assured his holiness that
he believed the danger Of his immedi-
ate passing was aserted for the night
and for the day.
Those seemingly last moments OF
Pope Leo are fun OF solemnity. Per
haps his last hours would be less mel
ancholv and sad If the august sui
ferer were less conscious of the cir
cumstances and his mind less clear
az 10 the duration Of time remaining
to him before he enters eternity. Al
though his physical powers are AZ the
lowest cbb and his breathing becomes.
more labored, the pope's mind j.
clear. as is manifest TO all around him
by his bright, expressive eyes. the
few words he now ana then succeeds
in uttering. The scene is so touch
strain their tears.
Count Camille Pccci. the pope's
nephew. whom the dying man kept by
his side Yesterday. was SO exhausted
late last night by his contending emo
tions that he had TO he taken from
his uncle's room. completely worn
out. a few moments before. as he
stood bowed beside the bed. Pope Leo
laid his hand on his head with pa
tcrnal affection. saying;
Take courage"
shortly after ten O'Clock at night
the pontiff received extreme JUNCTION
At nine o'clock his condition seemed
30 hopeless that only short time an
parently remained before he would
glide into his last sleep. At Dr. lap
poni's initiative ha~ty consultation
of the pope's relatives. Cardinal Ram
polia and other eccleSiastics was held
and ii was decided that extreme unc-
tion should be given. The pontiif re
ceiyed the announcement with hi
usual calmness. and though scarcely
able to speak audibly he said he knew
his time had come and he was ready
to appear before the sublime tribunal
with full tr-~' in the divine mercy
Nonsignor Pifferi. Pope Leo's con
fessor, administered the extreme unc--
ton. and when the ceremony was.
over his holiness sank back on the pill
low with apparent great relief that
all was done and that he was enter
ing into rest after his long pilgrims
age.