The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-02
POPE TALKS OF COMING DEATH
BUT BRAvELY LEAVES HIS BED
TO MEET THE CARDINALS.
ut Of Ceashtng interrupts IN Addvess
IN which Tie Refers 10 the ConcIaNe
That WIN Name Ills succss,or-Dened
Doctors In LEAVING His Room-His
Feebleness Inereasing--vatican Anxious

Special Cable Dsspateh 10 TIE SUN.
ROME, March |. Despite the renewed pre-
tests OF his physicians the Pope adhered
to his intention to receive the Cardinals
to-day. He SO far complied with direction
as TO remain In bed on Saturday. but he
refused 10 be ruled further although he
was manifestly unfit for a public function.
This IL not TO say that he Ia seriously i'll,
although reports as TO his condition differ
considerably. some going so far as to say
that hts health causes anxiety 20 his house.
hold
Prior to the reception OF the Cardinals
the Pontin received the envoy Of Count
Caserts. pretender to the throne Of Naples,
who presented to him the celebrated Far
nese clock. a complicated machine. which
was regarded as the most valuable heirloom
Of the Naples branch Of the Bourbon family.
The Pope had the clock placed In the library,
where. at noon. he received the cardinals.
forty-two Of whom attended,
With the view TO not fatiguing him the
Cardinals did not deliver sn address, Car
dinal Oreglia di Santo Stefano. as dean OF
the college. merely uttering few words
Of congratustion upon the jubil.e. All the
Cardinals kissed the Pope's hand.
The Pope is very hoarse. He spoke with
difficulty. but with his wonted cheerful
ness, although he referred. as he has fire.
quently done recently, TO the approach
ing CLOSE Of his life. He said:
We are happy to see such a numerous
gathering. From your number one might
suppose that you had assembled for con-
clave.-
This half humorous reference TO the
solemn conclave, which In the course OF
nature cannot be long deferred, drew forth
sympathetic protests OF NO. no. from
the ( srdinals. but the Pope would not he
turned from the subject of the future, and
he reminded his visitors that he could not
count on many more years Of life.
He said they would remember that IL
vas In the very same room In which they
we're assembled that Plus TX. held his last
consistory.
For about half an hour the aged, white
headed Pontiff. seated on his throne, con-
verscd with quiet ayabiity with the gor.
geous group OF prelatss. whose red robes
and magnificent jew lied CROSSES and. in
some cases robust figures, contrasted
strikingly with the feeble old man, who,
perhaps. was addressing them for the last
time.
The conversation evidently tried the
strength OF the Pope, whore speech, which
became moro difhcult - tins passed. was
q .lAst inaevrupted by-a A of eouehinG.
Cardinal OregliA di santo Stefano there
upon requested him not TO fatigue him
self. and the Pope. regretting that he
could not prolong the interview. extended
his hand 10 each Of the Cardinals As they
fled past him. while an official presented
TO each as gift from his Holiness richly
bound volume containing five OF his en-
cyclicals. a Latin poem. and a review OF the
chief events OF his pontifcate.
II Ia stated that when the Pope returned
to his apartments he was rather elated.
and said triumphsntly to DR.. Lspponi.
his physician. 81 may not be doctor.
but know what ! can do.
II 10 the general opinion that Pope Leo
will he able to attend the function in st.
Peter = on Tuesday, but the Vatican officials
are apprehensive Of the possible conse-
quences 10 his health.
Some newspapers represent that his
feebleuess is increasing perceptbly. and
that his condition 10 serious. One reports
that he told the Cardinals that he felt weak.
and that he believed God WAS about to call
him 20 Himself.