Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-21

Rome, Jan. 21.-Pope Benedict XIV
was still living at midday but had
grown steadily worse during the
morning and was in extreme agony
His breathing was very difficult
and at times was barely perceptible.
Masses were said throughout the
morning at every altar in Rome.
Lapses Into Delirium.
The dying Pontiff lapsed into de-
lirium early today.
He failed to recognize anyone at the
bedside.
Professor Marchiafava, the spe-
ialist who has been in consultation
at the Vatican, has just declared that
the end is near. The Pope is sus-,
tanned only by his naturally strong
constitution. ,t.gss i;
kilograms were sent by the Vatican
to all the papai nnncios at z o'clock
this morning announcing that the
Pointiff, Benedict XIV, was dying.
Murmurs "Peace, Peace"
The Pope is in extreme weakness
and restless.
Lying with closed eyes he murmurs,
"peace, peace" evidently alluding
sub-sonsciously to the great mission
of the pontificate in war time.
Other undistinguishable messages
fall from his lips from time to time,
but his vitality has sunk so low that
he speaks in the weakest of whispers.
Day dawned upon a tragic scene at
L. ILL., Do~o1 So,naS
the cardinals in prayer. The pail of
approaching death hung over all. Out
side in the piazza OF St. Peters
crowd of reverent men and women,
mostly kneeling with faces turned
Heavenward, uttered their supplica-
tions for the recovery of the Holy
Father.
At z o'clock it was stated at the
Vatican that the Pope was uncon-
scious and that death was expected at
any minute.
But still the Pontiff fingered on
The four attending physicians did all
in their power to relieve his suffer
ings, but they could hold out, no hope
for ultimate recovery. The strain was
telling on all. In the ante-room off
the sick chamber high prelates of
the church, faces drawn with the ag-
ony of their sorrow, prayed without
cessation.
In Great Agony at 8 O'clock
At 8 o'clock the Holy Father was
still breathing, but was in great pain
and breathing with agonized contrac
tions of 1she throat. A brief bulletin
was issued saying:
"His Holiness is weaker. The symp-
toms of pneumonia have extended"
BY this time all hope had been
abandoned and the most optimistic
of the Vatican entourage had come
to realize that the end was matter
of hours. if not minutes.
The Pope, it was understood, had
been unconscious the greater part Of
the night. Between and o'clock
he began to lapse into state of de-
lirium and to mutter phrases of
prayer.
Recognizes Doctor.
DR.. Battistini, who had been in at
tendance upon the prefate since he
was stricken, visited the patient at
2:30 o'clock. At that time the Pope
was conscious.
After leaving the sick chamber DR..
Battistini said:
81 found the lungs completely in
fected. The temperature was 3S.5
(centrigrade.)" This was slight in
crease in temperature.
Professor Battistini is an aged man
and has long been a personal friend
of the Poftiff. The Pope recognized
him and begged him to retire and seek
rest. DR.. Battistini refused and re-
manned at the bedside.
Injections of caffeine and cam
phorated oil were administered to
maintain the heart action but their
effect YVES brief. The Pontiff soon
relaxed into semi consciousness, mur-
muring inarticulate words.
The relapse heightened the gloom
that had been temporarily lifted by