The Washington times., 1906-12-07
DR.. LAPPONI DEAD,
CANCER ENDS LIFE
POPE'S PHYSICIAN
Dying Mans Last Words
Predicted Long Life
For Plus X.

ROME. Dec. 7.-Dr. Lapponi, private
physician to the Pope. died this morning.
Dr. Lapponi has suffered from cancer
of the stomach for a long time, and phy-
sicians called in consultation recently
advised against an operation.
Plus Y Is grief-stricken because OF
the death of his friend and physician.
and has invoked a special blessing for
him.
DR. Lapponrs last thought was for his
distinguished patient. With his dying
breath he predicted THAI the POntIn.
despite his heart trouble and gout, would
Iemain strong and well for years, and
that he would attain to even greater age
than his predecessor, Leo XIII.
DR. Lapponrs appointment as physi-
clan to the late Pope, according to the
eminent physician himself, came as a
great surprise to him. He was prac-
ticing IN little village near Ancona. on
the eastern shore of Italy. The Pope's
physician was dead and the question Of
his successor had arisen. In view OF the
strained relations between the Vatican
and the government. it was decided 10
select man outside os Rome for the
position.
Impressed Cardinal.
a cardinal who was close to the Pope.
had met DR. Lappoui at AHcona some
time before and vas not only struck by
the physicians keen medical insight. but
by his manifest hard common sense. So
one day the young physician was sur
prIsed 10 receive a formal request that
he should so to Rome to become ply
sician 10 the Pope. lie could not be-
lIeve his senses. At nrst he thought
some of his friends had played a prac-
teal joke bu- the request had come
through official channels and he went at
once To Rome
Had Pope's Confidence.
From the time ne joined the papaI
household. Dr. Lapyoni HAD the conf
dence OF the Pope ana the entire Vati-
can. His position brought him the pa
tronage Of that part of the Italian no
rsliJy which had remained faithful To
Jhc Pope ana il was only a short time
before this hitherto almost unknown
Young physician became a potent factor
iu Italian medical circles. His good for
tune did NOT Uurn his head and through
cat all his service at tile Vatican Dr.
LGUului was known Tor the same pTaC-
teal attributes that had impressed the
cardinal whom he had pulled through
severe illness in the little village
near Aucoua.
Doctors Liked Him.
Tho medical fraternity i'm Rome well
coined him and were agreed that ne had
assumed his new duties with the dignity
and pOise which a smaller man would
have been Unable 10 assert. He did not
use his connection with the Vatican TO
lGureaseashis private practice. and IN
has care OF the Pope there was nothing
Dut praise from the entire household
only once did Dr. LappOnI find himself
compelled 20 go against the wishes Of
tile Pope. IL was soon after his appoint
meut. The Pope lost two of his best
teeth and decided 10 have an entire new
SET made lie told Dr. LappOni, vino at
once refused his consent. The Pope
promptly demanded TO know why anu
the doctor assured him that a new set
of teeth would prompt him To eat many
things that would not agree with him.
After some argument the Pope gave in
and Dr- LappOni had his way.
Heightened Pope'S Life.
When the Pcpe died it was freely as
serted that Dr, Lapponrs care OF the
Pontif had done much to make ms last
years comfortable and of use to the
Catholic world The papaI household
and Cardinais who were closely assOciat-
ed with Vatican affairs agreed that in
pr. LapponIs case IL was that the Office
had sought the man and that the man
had proved equal 10 the great oppOr-
fnHftE