New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-01-21
Condition Desperate, Say
Physicians, With Both
Lungs Affected, Ham
pered by Weak Heart
Mind Is FaItering.
Voice Incoterent
His Will Be Done, 'PontiG
Asks as Prayers Are
Uttered All Over World
specia, cable 10 The rr.oune

Copyright, 1922. New York Tribune Inc
ROME, Saturday, Jan. 21.-Pope
Benedict XIV, who was stricken four
days ago with influenza. whica d.
veloped quickly into acute pneu-
monia, early this morning is at the
point of death. His physicians, who
include four Of 1taly's most eminen.
medical authorities, do not believe
he will survive many hours. Ex-
treme JUNCTION has been administered
to him.
Realizing the gravity of his con-
dition, His Holiness yesterday dc
livered his last will to Cardinal Gas
parr, Papal Secretary of State, who
wept at the Pontiff's bedside as he
received the document. At the
same time the Pope indicated that
he was exercising all his will powev
to aid in throwing off the malady.
II have prayed the Madonna of
Pompeii for my recovery, that mir
acle may be performed he told
Cardinal Gasparri.
Those who surround the POPE say
that his deterplination to fight for
life is due to his knowledge that
death would delay many diplomatic
projects which he had lately under
taken.
Both Lungs Affected
/ According to the latest bulletin
from the Vatican, the infection has
spread to both lungs. The Pope's
pulse is weak and his respiration is
growing more painful The only
chance held out for recovery by his
physicians lay in the ability of his
heart to stand the strain, but this
was considered to be faint posi-
bility. The Pontiff now is being
kept alive only by the administra-
ton of oxygen and the injection of
camphoratcd oil.
His Holiness has retained his con
sciousness through his illness, and
yesterday insisted on knowing the
names signed to many of the mes
sages received at the Vatican.
Among the cabegrams which came
to-day we're two from the Ameri-
can cardinals, O'Connell and Dough-
erty.
After the administration Of ex-
treme JUNCTION yesterday an i'm
provement was noted in the Pont:ff's
condition. At that time the Cardi-
nails and the diplomatic corps were
gathered at the Vatican in response
to a summons. At the same slime
prayers for the recovery. of His
Holiness were being said in four
hundred churches in Rome.
Crowds Watch Vatican
In the square before the Vatican
great crowds watched the window
of the Papal apartment. The clos
ing of the shutters will be a sign to
the world that the Pope is dead.
All the cardinals remained in the
Vatican during the night.
''1'hc condition of His Holiness is
desperate" DR.. Battistini told the
Tribune correspondent in the after
noon, "and although we still hope
to save his life his low vitality Is
against him." Even this faint opti-
nism faded early in the night as the
Pontiff failed to show signs of with
standing the strain.
! Reports from the Vatican said
that the Pope's right lung was most
seriously affected. His pulse has
become extremely weak and breath
ing is labored. The turn for the
worse came after a night of rest
lessness that was disturbed by a
heavy cough.
ROME, Jan. 81 6 40 a. m., Rome
time) (By The Associated Press
The condition Of Pope Benedict
is slowly growing worse and now is
extremely grave.
His mental faculties arc showing
signs Of decline. Frequently the
Pontiff murmurs incoherent phrases.
/ After receiving communion the Pope
asked for extreme JUNCTION, which wa.
administered soon after 2 o'clock this
morning by Monsignor Zampini. as
sisted BY Monsignor Testoni. At th,
conclusion of the cerenteny the Pontif