Oxford eagle., 1914-08-27
CATHOLIC LEADER
Pope Plus X, DIES
POPE KEPT ALIVE MANY HOURS
BEFORE DEATH ev OXYGEN.
RELAPSE CAME QUICKLY.
END FASTENED BY THE WAR
Aged Father, Never Of Robust consti-
tuition and Strength vltissed BY
Disease, Seemed Unable to Re-
sIst Shock Of War Horrors.

Romes-Pops Piux X is dead. He
had been Ill for several days. but
alarming symptoms did not develop
At once.
Throughout the day Drs. Marchia-
fava and Amici devoted their utmost
energies to stimulating 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
scrbed the scene as heart.rending. es-
pecially when the pontiff. 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 wher g.. sacra.
ment was exposed uron al the affairs
When the court ie~rned OF the pope's
condition there was the deepest con
cern. King Victor Emmanuel person.
ally informed Queen Helena and the
news was communicated to the queen
mother.
Extreme unction was administered
by Mgr. Zabbpini, sacristan to his holi.
ness. amid a touching scene. The
pope's sister 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 4 moment OF Iu-
cidity. said:
Now ] begin to think. as the end Is
approaching. that the Almighty In His
fnexhaustible goodness. wishes to
spare me the horrors Europe is under
going
It was one Of the most anxious days
In the history Of the papacy. The whole
world knew that the pope was indis-
posed. but II was supposed he was suf-
fering from his usual aiiment. the
gout. Up TO noon even the members
OF the household were unaware Of the
seriousness OF the developments. Al
most without warning came the word
hat the pontiff was at deaths door.
All day his agony continued. A,
lines he revived and was able to say
few words. but hope Of saving him
vas finally abandoned. Several times
throughout the city and at the palace
he rumor spread that the end had
ome. only to be denied later.
Urgent kilograms were sent to Car.
inal Farley. who is In Switzerland.
nd the holy see notified all the car.
inals living in Rome or other parts OF |
tally OF the situation. All the churches
nd clergy In Rome likewise were no
fled.
Cardinal Della voipe, chamberlain
{ the church. who on the pope's death |
ssumes direction Of the holy see dur
ng the interregime. was summoned
rom Imola and left Immediately for
tome.
Tho body Of Pope Plus x has been
aid out In state for thousands to view.
The day broke cloudy and heavy.
sfter exquisiteiy clear skies. II seemed
- though nature was In mourning for
fhs pope. most beloved BY the people
Df Rome.
Around the vatican many gathered.
The great doors were half closed and
hose who mourned spoke in whispers.
Within the vatican preparations were
n progress for the simple funeral Ger.
monies and for the holding OF the
for the election Of a new
'ope.
II is expected that the conclave will
'e held early in September. even
housh all the cardinals are not in
Rome. The new pope will be the first
'ontiff elected without the veto pre-
'iousiy accorded foreign powers, as
'ne OF the first acts OF Plus X was to
this privilege OF centuries, al
though he owed his own election 10 II.