Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-07-16
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
The Dying Pope.

Lht OpCs
Rome, July $3.50 a. m. No one
entered or left the Vatican during the
night. The Rome papers this morning
report that the Pope is sinking. From
the bulletin issued by the Pope's
physicians this morning at 9 O'Clock, it
seems that he is sinking rapidly. The
bulletin reads as follows:
"The Pope passed very restless and
sleepless night. The general condition
of his holiness show no other modifica-
tons than greater frequency in respira-
ton due TO the increased gathering of
LIQUID in the pleura. His pulsation is
S8: his temperature 1858 centigrade;
and respiration SO.
1t is unofficially reported that the
Pope's body is covered with sweat, pre-
saying the fast approach of the end:
The Pope has nearly finished his
course. After another of those oc-
casions, so frequent in his last illness,
when the progress of his illness seemed
to have been stemmed by his miracu-
lous vitality, the pOntiff is again sinking.
The Pope had a restless night, vislbly
losing ground His weakness increased
as the morning hours were on, and his
breathing became more difficult. In
order to assist the august patient, his
faithful valet, Contra, had to place him
in reclining position and fan him
continually. Even then, the pontift
was so restless that his pillows had to be
changed frequently. Toward morning
a rapid increase of the liquid in the
pleura again became apL aren't, and, be-
fore the day is over, a third operation
for the removal of this extraneOus mat
ter will doubtless be necessary. This
third puncture will be more difficult and
more dangerous than the two which
preceded it, owing to the great decline
in the patients powers and the con;
seouent absence of ability to resist the
depicting influences of the operation.
The mass in honor of Our Lady OF
Mount Carmel was celebrated in the
Pope's apartment this morning by the
Sacristan, Bishop PifIeri. The Pontifl
seemed to understand what was trans
piring, but took no part in the celebra-
ton.
The Pope is now manifesting an ar
dent desire to live During a cOnsulta-
ton of his physicians yesterday, the
prelate asked three times anxiously:
"Will we succeed" Upon receiving
an encouraging answer he said hopeless
ly: 81 shall succeed. "
Monsignor Maserenti, who recently
sold a number of pictures for a large
sum. took his stand outside the church
of San Marcello this morning and dis
tributed two franc pieces to the poor,
asking them to pray for the Pope. The
crowd finally became so great that the
police were compelled to stop the distri-
button of the money.
Cardinal Gibbons, who is now on his
way to Rome, is the subject of some
criticism among the prelates of the Vati-
can for starting for Rome before the
Pope died. This action of his is de-
scribed as "purely American speed. ="
| III Is now Sldleu tndt NdIulual OlDDOhe
was summoned to Rome by Cardinal
Vanutelli, and that Gibbons will support
Vanutelli in the conclnve.
Paris, July 16.-Cardinal Rampolla
today wired the nuncio as follows
During the night the holy father S
sinking was not increased. Today his
mind is clear and other conditions are
not aggravated.
Rome, July 16. 6. p. m.-The Popeis
respiring painfully now as result of the
liquid on his pleura exercising too great
pressure on his lungs. Consequently
his sense of anxiety is increasing. He
feels restless and seeks to. overcome his
troubles by change of position every
moment. His physicians are at loss
what to do as they dare not try new
operation. 1t is considered that the
weakness of the pontff is now the
gravest symptom. of his illness and that
only an operation could give him calm
ness.