Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-04-09
CONDITION
OF THE POPE
IS CRITICAL
Physicians, However, Do Not
Expect Death Of POntlff
at This Time
PILGRIMS PRAY FOR
LIFE OF CHURCH HEAD
BY Henry Wood, Rome Correspona
dent of the United Press.

BY Henry Wood. Rome Correspons
dent of the United Press.
ROME, April 9.-Four thousand
Catholic pilgrims from all over the
Christian world, here for the first of
the celebrations commemorating Con-
stantine Year today knelt in st.
Peters Cathedral and prayed long and
earnestly that the life of Pope Piux y,
may be spared
With temperature normal and his
fever returned, the Pope's heart ac-
ton was decidedly weaker today and
DR.. Ettore Marchiafaya and DR.. Amioi,
papal physicians, admitted that his
condition was slightly more critical,
though they refused TO say they were
alarmed. DR.. Marchiafaya said that
what his Holiness most needs is abso-
lutte res and DR.. Amici stated posi-
lively that he did not expect the pom
tiff to die at this time.
Many of the pilgrims from America
and other far countries mad expected
TO be received in audience by the
Pope today, and when hey we're in
formed from the Vatican that all au-
diences had been postponed ndefn-
itely, they at once proposed the prayer
for the Holy Fathers recovery at st.
Peters. All of the 1000 pilgrims now
In Rome, those who had socu the
Pope in the few days last week on
whfgh be resumed his audience, join
ing with the others and the ancient
Cathedral presented an impressive
scene.
Pope Plus passed a fairly restful
night. Dr.. Marchiafava and DR.. Amici
made frequent visits to the Vatican
through the night and at midnight said
the POntiff's temperature was slightly
over 100. This occasioned no espe-
cisl alarm. and did not prevent the
patient from getting considerable
sleep.
On the DOCTORS FIRST visit today
they found the Popes, fcvcr entirely
sllsycd. Later il returned and thC
heart action was more depressed -thar
last night and it IS this symptom tha
gives the mos alarm"
The only official statement regard
ing the Pope's condition, issued from
the Vatican by Cardinal Merry del Va
was:
THE Pope is suffering from a re-
lapse of the influenza"
The statement Of Osservatore Do
mano, an official of the Vatican. was
little more satisfactory. II said;
'Since yesterday evening the Pop'
has been indisposed with relapse o.
Influenza His condition is causing
great anxiety, but he requires mucl
rest"
II was learned from most reliable
sources, that Pope Piux is suffering
from something more than influenza
Besides the weakened heart condition
the Pontiff is said to have nephritis
and an affection Of the kidneys, akii
TO Bright's disease.
Despite the assurances of the papa
physicians and Cardinal Merry dc
VAL the relapse of the Pope cause'
the greatest uneasiness throughou
Rome. Rumors that he was dyini
were frequent last night and early to
day and the most sanguine felt tha
his Holiness would never again CIV
general audiences.
Throughout the morning all of tn
cardinals who are in Romo and al
ambassadors and diplomats called q
the Vatiacn in person and inquired a
TO the health OF the Pontiff-
While his two sisters, living
square from the Vatican. we're wit
the Pope three hours today. Angel
Sarto, his brother summoned to tn
bedside by telegraph, was hurrying I
Rome OH the fastest train. his prcsor
journey being in great contrast to hi
last visit TO the Vatican, when h
walked to Rome