The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-08-22

GUIDES DESTINY OF CATHOLIC
CHURCH FOR ELEVEN YEARS
THROUGH MANY
STORMS.
Last Illness Of Short Duration, Al
though hc Had Been In Bad Health
for Many Ycars-End fastened by
Sorrow ut Gigantic War Which Had
Broken out in Europe.

been Ill for several days, but alarming
symptoms did not develop until We'd
nesday morning. Throughout the da!
Dr. Marchiafava and DR.. Amici de-
voted their utmost energies to stimu-
lating their patient and keeping him
alive.
The cardinals were notified of the
pope's grave condition and some of
them who entered the sick room de-
scribes the scene as heartrending, es-
pecially when the pontifi rousing him
self from time to time spoke. Once
he said:
"In ancient times the pope by a
word might have stayed the ,slaugh-
ter. but now he is impotent."
Prayers were said by thousands and
church bells sounded when the sacra-
ment was exposed upon the affairs.
When the court learned Of the
pope's condition there was the deepest
concern. King Victor Emmanuel per-
sonally informed Queen Helena and
the news was communicated to the
queen mother.
Extreme JUNCTION was administered
by Mgr Zampini, sacristan to his holi-
ness amid q touching scene. The
pope's sisters and his niece were over
come with grief. Cardinal Merry del
Val knelt by the side of his bed, where
other cardinals Joined him, members
OF the household intoning prayers.
The dying pope, in moment of
lucidity, said:
Now begin to think, rs the end
is approaching, that the Almighty in
His inexhaustible goodness wishes to
spare me the horrors Europe is under
goins."
Wednesday was one Of the most
anxious days in the history Of the
papacy. The whole world knew that
the pope was indisposed, but it was
supposed he was suffering from his
usual ailment. the gOut. Up to noon
even the members of the household
were unaware of the seriousness OF
the developments. Almost without
warming came the word that the pom
tiff was at deaths door.
All day his agony continued. At
times he revived and was able to say
a few words, but hope of saving him
was finally abandoned. Several times
throughout the city and at the pal
ace the rumor spread that the end
had come. only to be denied later.
In the presence Of Cardinal Merry
del Val. the papel secretary, and
Cardinals Ferrata. CagianO and Bis
lett and the two sisters Of the pope,
bulletin on the condition Of the
pOntiff was posted early in the after
noon on the bronze door Of the Vati-
can. where the Swiss guards stood
watch. A great crowd outside gazed
with grief stricken face up at the
pope's chamber on the second floor
where the windows were closed with
shades.
Grief after the war in Europe
caused the pope much depression from
the first outbreak, and several days
ago symptoms appeared Of the old
bronchial affection from which the
pontiff had suffered in times past.
On Tuesday DR.. Marchiafava an
nounced that the pope was suffering
from a simple cold and that possibly
complete rest for a week would re-
store him to his usual hoalth. The
bronchial condition spread, however.
and on Wednesday it was announced
that the pOpe's condition was serious
A bulletin issued at 3 o'clock We'd
nesday afternoon. signed by Drs
Marchiafava and Amici. gave the fol-
lowing explanation:
1.-The pOpes condition grew worse
during the night. This was due to the
diffusion of the bronchitis to the low
er lobe Of the left lung. symptoms of
heart weakness became so threaten
ing ut 1890 o'clock this morning that
1t was believed the pontiff's life was
endangered. At 1.30 p. m.. the sym
toms were slightly improved, but still
grave
AT times during the day the pope
had much difficulty i'm breathing. lie
suffered much from headache and in
ability to rid himself Of the accumu-
lations i'm the lungs. Stimulants were
injected and oxygen administered.
Several times the pontiT revived and
seemed much better. He then would
speak to those about him and insist
That his desires be executed.
/ In one of these intervals he asked
Tor Mgr. Rosa recently appointed soc
rotary OF the consistorial congrega
! ton. Mgr. ROSA had henn an inti,n,t, ,