The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-22
During the Last Hours of His
Life Silently Watched Those
Praying for Peace.
END CAME AT 6 O'CLOCK
SUNDAY MORNING At ROME
Earlier Reports of the Pope's
Death Were Founded on Ru-
NOR Sent From London.
tny rhe AaseeIated Pressl

LONDON, Jan. ZH.-flne pope Qleu
at o'clock this morning, according to
a Reuter- dispatch from Rome.
There had been moments during
Saturday when 1t was feared the end
had come, but stimulants revived the
pontiff, and his natural powers of re-
sistance carried him. through the turn
ing point temporarily. The holy IA
ther seemed to cling to life, as did
Pope Plus * in 1914, when the final
outcome was in doubt for many hours.
DIR. Battistini, the chief attending
physician, visited the patient several
times Saturday evening and through
out the night Each time he said that
any minute might see the conclusion
of the long hours of suffering through
which Benedict XIV had passed in his
fight for life.
The last announcement of the eve
ming to the diplomatic representa-
tives waiting in the antechamber was
made by Cardinal Gasparri the papal
secretary of state, who said: "a ca
tastrophe is imminent, the holy father
is getting worse, and worse; we must
be prepared for the inevitable"
The cardinals face was downcast
and sad He spoke in quiet tones with
deep emotion, making gestures with
hands. showing that his holiness was
sinking lower and lower.
After the publication of the latest
bulletin, Cardinal Giorrigi Father Ba-
sill and Dr. Battistini remained by the
bedside. After a time the doctor told
his holiness that they were praying for
the peace of the world, to which the
pope replied:
II would willingly offer my life for
the peace Of the world" He them
turned on his side and lay watching !
those near him.
ROME, Jan 21.-It was day of
great uncertainty in Rome and deepI
anxiety among those who watched
and prayed at the vatican for virtually
all hope of the pope's recovery was
abandoned even in the early hours Of
the morning.
AS the hours passed, the wonderl
grew at the recuperative powers of thel
holy father, which enabled him tol
pass from one sinking spell and an
other to periods OF comparative rest
fulness and strength. It was this
changing condition that inspired hope
at one moment and gave rise to rumors
OF death at another.
Ii was thought that IL the pope
passed safely through the night, he
would have a chance OF life after the
dawn. and so 1t proved. In the early
part or the day sleep came and seemed
TO add to his powers OF resistance.
Throughout the day great crowds
gathered around the vatican, and a |
double row of royal guards took up !
positions in the outskirts of ST. Peters, !
forming a passageway for diplomatic
representatives, prelates and other
notable personages constantly arriv-
ing.
Cardinal Gasparri, papal secretary
Of state. received great number of
telegrams from all parts OF the world, |
including those from King George of
England King Alfonzo of Spain, the |
king of the Belgians and the president
<of Brazil. The cardinal spent consid |
erable time in the sick room. but en-
tered the antechamber shortly after 5
o'clook in the evening where ne was
surrounded by those who had waited
hours for definite news. He said to |
them;
IL come out TO announce to the dip !
lomatic corps that there is no further
hope. The pope may be considered as
having virtually ceased 70 exist" This
caused CONSERVATION among those as
sembled in the pontihcal apartment
and Gasparri was weeping as he came
from the room in which the pontiff was ,
dying.
And yet, later in the evening, more !
hopeful word was received from the /,
pope's bedside, and on each occasion
the spirits OF those in the vatican
were relatively relieved.
An all night vigil, which the Asso-
ciated Press correspondent kept in thet
antechamber OF the pope's private I
apartment. brought evidence that the j
pope chung to life only by a slender |
thread. He passed an extremely rest
less night, suffering as he was from
extensive congestion Of both lungs and
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