The Savannah morning news., 1903-07-20

state OF coma urSI occurred the uOC-
tors formally communicated the grav-
ity of the condition of his holiness to
Cardinal Rampolla. who in turn, adj
vised the cardinals of the Sacred Col
lege. At the same time the general
public became aware of the alarming
change in the Pope's condition, and
the entrance of the Vatican was soon
thronged with dignitaries of the
church and members of the diplomatic
corps, making anxious inquiries.
RumOred He Was Dead.
Twice rumors of the death of the
Pontiff gained circulation. The cardi-
nails and diplomats, upon their arrival,
were informed of the gravity of the
situation, but many of them left upon
learning that the rumors of the Pope's
death were untrue.
The condition of coma was inter-
rupted shortly after sunset. Cardinal
Wives, Tuto and Mgr. Pifferi the Pope's
confessor, were then called into the
sick room. When they began to repeat
Latin prayers the familiar sound OF
the language which Leo XIII. loved
so well penetrated to his couch, and
the Pope seemed reused from his stu
por and showed signs of consciousness.
He lifted his head. Cardinal Wives Y
Tuto took advantage OF the oppor-
tunity to approach the bed and tell
the Pontiff that some OF the cardinals
were in the ante chamber.
Gave Him His BenedictiOn.
II, myself" said he, desire to have
your benediction."
The Pope, with great effort, raised
a trembling hand and in an almost in
audible voice, between long pauses,
gave the cardinal the pontifical bless
ing. The effort, however, appeared
to have been too much for him, and
he fell back into a condition of uncon-
seriousness.
Among the cardinals who came to the
Vatican to-day was Cardinal Oreglia,
dean OF the Sacred College, upon whom
| will fall the chief duty of directing
affairs when the Pope's death occurs.
He went to the apartments, which al
| ready have been prepared for his per-
manent occupation, and some believed
that he had taken up his residence at
the Vatican, in anticipation of his
speedy assumption or the important 1u-
ties he will be called on to perform.
Later, however. he left the Vatican.
Cardinal Serafino Vannutelli, the grand
penitentiary, also arrived in readiness
to perform his office of reciting pray
ors for the dying Pontiff. He remain
ed at the Vatican continuously through
the afternoon and evening.
Not Longer Than "a Hours.
Towards night the reports from the
sick room continued to be of the grav-
est character. Cardinal Della Volpe
coming from the Vatican, said he had
held brief conversation with DR.. Lap
poni and that the latter had made the
following statement:
IF nothing new happens, the patient
may live until tomorrow morning, per-
haps until evening; that is, twenty-four
hours longer, but beyond this his sur
/ vival is impossible
| Following the departure of the cardi-
| nails, number of carriages were sta
| toned in the court yard of San Dam
aso, in readiness to bring the cardi-
nails to the Vatican when the catastro-
phe seemed imminent.
Rome, July 19--Cardinal VannutelIi
grand penitentiary, whose duty it
is to say prayers for the dying, enter
| ed the sick chamber at o'clock this
evening. This is believed to Indicate
that the Pope is in extremis
Rome, July 19. $3.50 a. m.-The fol-
lowing medical bulletin has just been
issued By the Pope's physicians:
1.-The night was sleepless with little
tranquility. The Pope's strength con-
tinues to be depressed. His respiration
is calm. but superficial, at "a; pulse reg
ular enough, but weak at SO; tempera-
ture 36.5 centigrade. (Signed.)
'Lapponi,
"Mazzoni."
Rome. July 10. $40 p. m.-The fol-
lowing bulletin has just been issued:
1.-THE holy father spent the day IN
an almost continuous state of coma,
strength more depressed. Respiration
80. pulse 96, temperature 1854 cent?
| grade. "Lapponi,
"Mazzoni,
"Rossoni"
Rome .Inlv % 2.4h a ma snsni-