The Washington herald., 1922-01-21

His church. 4 am ready. HIS
will be done.-
ROME. Jan ..O.-Aftcr a dAy OF
the Eravest anxiety in the vatican
In which the last sacrament IVES
administered 20 the dying Pontin.
physicians who are attending Fbpe
Benedict announced their belier
that he might live through the
night.
At $50 IL was stated that the
Pope was conscious at that time.
He first lspsed into unconsciousness
at 2:3o- BY o'clock. however. he
had revived sufficiently TO give his
will TO Cardinal Graspari, secretary
of state, and from the reports OF
physicians IL is gathered that he
remained conscious up TO tie time
the 6:3e bulletin was issued.
At 1880 p. m his temperature
was l0O.4 and pulse lO2.
As the Pope entered the after
noon sinking spell, church digni-
tartes at Piscenza. Genoa. Bologna
and Florence were Informed Of the
gravity Of his condition. The Hoiy
Sacrament was exposed in the
Pauline chapel. which Is done only
on exceptional occasions.
Life's object UnreaIIIed.
Attendants leaving the pontins
chamber declared that his thoughts
were constantly centered on the
fact that he would be unable TO
see the completion OF the great
object of his pontihcate-the re-
conciliation OF the church and the
state OF Italy. and the patifcatiou
Of the entire world
He murmured with conviction the
prediction that his successor would.
with Gods help. be able to carry
out the project OF reconciliation.
The physicians late in the day.
injecting camphor oil and admins
tering plasters on the patients
chest. ascertained that the pneu-
monia was infective. and discov-
cred some symptoms OF kidney
trouble.
His holiness fully regained con-
sciousness in the evening. He rec
ognized the seriousness Of his III
ness. and continually urged the
cardinals present to pray for him
Among the cardinals who arrived
with Merry Del Val. Cardinal Chal-
nutelli. Tacci. Yalea and Dibonzo.
Between noon ana 1880. while
physicians were at the bedside. the
Pope suffered a coughing spell
which became so violent that al
feared IL would prove fatal. The
! physicians succeeded. however. IN
quieting the cough. and finally to-
ward late afternoon induced sleep.
A
ported to be sleeping.
Attendaats In Tears.
The Pope's personal attendants
were Monsignors Mignoni. TestoRl
and PiermatteI. but CslvalierL Cat
valiere and Fsggiani were ala
| present when the last rites were
performed. All wept profusely dur
ing the ceremony and Benedict him
self was the most serene in the
group.
Half an hour before midnight
the Pope's throat appeared 10 clear
and he insisted that his attendants
withdraw fer the night. The
physicians then in attends nee
obeyed
Four physicians were constantly
at the dying poniifrs bedside. aul
during the first hour after noon
found that Benedict was slowly
growing weaker. his collapse finally
resulting In a state OF coma at 2:3s
Even at this time. however. the
Vatican officially refused to absU-
don hope, while admitting that the
Pontiff's condition was extremely
grave.
IL was at the request of Benedict
himself that the last sacrament was
administered before he became un-
conscious instead Of performing the
rite as death was approaching. The
Pope wished TO know that the cere-
mony was taking place and to par
tictpate In it's solemn Significance.
In the meantime the arrival Of
Cardinal Merry Del Val. the car
dinal chamberlain. who took nm nj.
residence at the Vatican. was sig
nihcant- The cardinal chamberlain.
upon the death OF the Pope. assumes
ana Administers the papsl authority
until a new Pope Is elected
oxyEer ASnisistereS.
Oxygen was administered through
out the day, but the Pope's respirs-
ton remained a matter OF concern
70 the attending physicians.
Cardinal Gigorgt. the grand peni-
tentiary OF the Sacred College, was
summoned to the Pope's bedside at
lo:so in the morning. and shortly
afterwsrd began the recital OF
prayers for the dying. Shortly be-
fore. Benedict had felt strong
enough to receive the entire Sacred
Col1$0e and the dipiomatic earn.