Arizona republican., 1903-07-06
THE LAST SACRAMENT

And Then the Prayers for a Passing
 Soul.
 Rome. July 5.-In these days, when the life of the venerable Pope Leo hangs by a thread the excitement and the perturbation that prevails within the Vatican is intense. While the il- ustrious patient lies in his quiet cham Der, assiduously and affectionately watched and attended by his favoritc physician. Dr. Lapponi, and his trusted valet, PiCcentra, the rest of the vast palace is in a state of continual un- rest.
 Dr. Mazzoni and Dr. Lappani hope that unless there is heart failure they will be able, to keep their august pa tient alive for a few days longer, espe- cially if he will willingly consent to observe the physicians prescriptions. This, however, is the more difficult as his holiness preserves his full com sciousness and argues and discusses with his doctors the prescriptions. The latter, fearing to excite him by con tradiction, are sometimes at a loss how. to proceed
 The Associated Press correspondent saw Dr. MaZzoni this afternoon. The doctor said: "The situation at this time is certainly really grave. in view of the great age of the patient and his state of extreme weakness. However, the case is not yet desperate, especially as he is a man having such unexpected re- serves of energy and vitality, which at the age of 93 is indeed astonishing. The exact definition of the pope's illness is senile adynamic pneumonia, but his holiness has not the least idea that he is attacked by any organic disease. He believes the oppression in his chest and the accompanying difficulty of brea th- ing are merely the results of extreme weakness"
 During the afternoon the strength of the pontiff began to fail him so rapid ly and his condition became so critical that it appeared that only d few hours of his life remained to him It was therefore deemed wise to advise him of his grave condition, and this was done with tender precaution. Pope Leo was thus prepared for his last communion which was administered tonight with the participation of all the cardinals HOW in Rome and the whole pontifica court. The solemn yet gorgeous cere- mony of administering the last sacra- ment took place at th,s bedside of Pope A~-O. LC tSlllI cl llS was the uNlHS pontiff, whose long life's journey is nearly over, calmly preparing to entel the dark valley. His pale and eIna. ciated face, almost as white as the pillows on which it rested, showed littl, sign or life except the keen glitterine eyes, always his most striking feature
 Ire priest apostolic approached, bear ing the viaticum. to give the last com. munion and the extreme junction, as sisted by the grand penitentiary. Pop Leo feebly recited the confession O faith, as formulated by the Council O Trent. and finally the words of abso luticn and the formula of indulgenc in articulo mortis were solemnly pro nounced by the grand penitentiary. Tn heads of the great religious orders wh were present granted the pope the spe cial indulgences which they have tn privilege of conferring. Then came tn touching prayers for a passing soul an. part of the gospel, the Lords passion
 As the last words died away all fel on their knees. The pOntiff, raising hi almcst transparent fingers with a fee ble effort, pronounced in scarcely audi ble words his benediction on the sacre college and all present and then sant back on his pillows. There was scarce ly a. fearless eye in the whole assem blaze.