Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1922-01-21
END PEACEFUL
Passes From Sleep Into
Coma Shortly Be
fore Death. Z
CITY IN SORROW
TOlling Bell Carries
News to Praying
Multitudes.

ROME, Jan. 21.-Pope Benedict
XIV died about o'clock this after
noon.
Death was due to pneumonia and
heart weakness, complicated with
bronchial catarrh and influenza
The Pontiff had been i'll only fve
days. The final attack dated back
to last Tuesday, when he contracted
a cold.
The polntin had been sinking rapidly
for twenty four hours and only the
natural vitality Of his wonderful con-
stitution sustained him.
During the morning a slight amount OF
hauid nourishment had been admins
tered. The poindf lapsed into semi
consciousness. This gave way to uncon-
seriousness. IL was announced at noon
that the patient was IN q state OF coma,
but later II was said he had been sleep
ing and had fallen into deep slum6er."
Between noon and l o'clock the doctors
admitted the Pope had not shown any
improvement either for nOuTishment or
sleep.
The Observatory Romano, Official organ
tint, papal physician, had Informed the
Pope's official family that even if death
were not imminent It was inevitable.
Belief was expressed in Vatican circles
that the Pope's successor viii be Cardinal
Pietre Mafi. archbishop of Piza.
NEWS CASTS DEEP
GLOOM OVER CITY.
Although the Pontif-s life had been
ebbing for twenty-four hours and his
demise was expected, news of his death
threw this city into deepest gloom. The
Catholic churches quickly filed up and
special prayers were said the repose Of
thr F0ntifs soul
The piazza OF st. Peters was crowded
with reyerent and praying men and
women as the great bell in the cathedral
began to toll out the sad tiding.
During the last twelve hours Of life ths
Pore had passed from alternate fits Of
consciousness into semi-consciousness
and at times was delirious.
During one period when his mind was
wandering he kept muttering peace,
neace" At another time he murmured
that duty called"
The rope passed peacefully and his
features were resigned and calm despite
the agonizing suffering through which
he had passed.
The pain which the Holy Father has
borne so stoicauy but could not hide
entirely, added to the strain on those
who stood beside the bed in prayerful
death watch.
THOUGHTFUL
OF OTHERS.
The last sacrament had been admin
istered and prayers for the dead had
been said before the final hour. Extreme
JUNCTION has been said twice, once FRI
day and again early today.
Even in his anguish, the Pontin was
thoughtful Of those about him. He
begged DIR. Battistini. his old friend, TO
retire and get some rest during one period
OF lucidity.
The found attending physicians exc
pressed surprise over the t-nacity with
which he had been able to cling to life,
IN view Of the infamed condition Of his
lungs and the weakness Of HIS heart.
The prelates of the Vatican, however,
believed that an Intervention Of Divinity
was responsible. When the Pontiff rail-
lied slightly and the doctors said soma
benefit might be expected from nourish-
ment and sleep, the Ecclesiastics attrib-
uted It to q miracle OF the Virgin
Pompeii.
Pope Benedict XIV was in his sixty
eighth year and had reigned as oPntiff of
the Church of Rome seven years and
about four months.
MULTITUDE EAGER
FOR BULLETINS.
The brief bulletins from the Vatican
were read with breathless interest by the
crowds that surged before the news
paper bulletin boards.
At 1 o'clock when 1t was announced the
Pondf's sleep had given way to coma
and that It was admitted the "catas-
frophe was at hand a sigh Of sorrow
went up. Men and women wept in the
streets Sobs broke through the chanted
services in the churches.