Middletown transcript., 1914-08-29

Rome.-Pope Plus x. died in the
Vatican after suffering several re
9apses. Oxygen was administered tc
2sep him alive pending the summon
ing to the bedside of the officials de
manded by the rites of the Church.
Unofficial bulletins carried by those
who were admitted to the Vatican
kept the thousands waiting about the
Square Of st. Peters informed.
The bulletins ceased around eight
O'clock and then over all official
church circles there descended the
Ominous silence which the wise easily
interpreted. The temporary duties of
supreme head Of the Church descend
now automatically to the Cardinal
Chamberlain, who is Cardinal Della
Volpe. He will administer the affairs
until the Conclave shall choose a sue
eessor to Plus K.
Pope's Grief Over the War.
Grief over the war in Europe caus-
ed the Pope much depression from the
first outbreak several days before his
demise symptoms appeared of the old
bronchial affection from which the
Pontiff had suffered in times past, DR..
GarchiafaVa, the Pontiff's regular
physician, announced that the Pope
was suffering from simple cold, and
that possibly complete rest for week
would restore him to his usual health.
The bronchial trouble, however,
spread, and finally 1t was announced
that the Pope's condition was serious.
Throughout the final day Doctors
Marchiafava 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 describe
The impressive and heart-rending
EeRes, especially when the Pontiff,
gousins>> himself 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."
The Scene at the Deathbed.
Extreme unction was administered
By Mgr. Zampini, Cacristan to the
PoDe, amid most touching scene.
Tts sisters of the Pope and his niece
wFe overcome with grief. Cardinal
Mrry del Val, the Papal Secretary
Of State, knelt by the side of the bed,
other Cardinals Joined him, the
rs Of the household intoning
$.
dying Pope in q moment Of lu-
said:
W beginto think, as the end
preaching, that the Almighty in
nexhaustible goodness wishes to
) me the horrors Europe is under
g."
another lucid moment the Pope
ispered:
'Now l am forced to see the spec
Icle of my own children, even those
ho yesterday worked here with me,
eaVe for the war, abandon the cas-
sock and cowl for the soldiers uni
form. Yesterday, although they were
Of different nationalities, they were
here studying, in sympathetic com
panionship; now in different fields
they are armed against each other,
ready to take each others lives.
The day was one of the most anx-
lous days in the history Of the Papacy.
The whole world knew that the Pope
was indisposed, but it was supposed
that he was suffering from his usual
ailment, the gout. Almost without
warning came word that the Pontiff
was at deaths door.
Pontiff in Agony All Day.
All day his agony continued. At /
times he revived and was able to say
4 few words, but hope of saving him
was finally abandoned. Several times
throughout the city and at the Apos-
tolic Palace the rumor spread that the
Pope had passed away, only to be de-
MED later.
In the presence Of Cardinal Merry
del Val, Cardinals Ferrata, Caginao
and Bisleti, and the two sisters Of the
Pope, bulletin on the condition of
the Pontiff was posted early in the
afternoon, on the bronze door Of the
Vatican, where the Swiss guards stood |
on watch. A great crowd outside gaz-
I'd with grief-stricken faces up at the
Pope's chamber on the second floor,
where the windows were closed with
shades.
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