The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1936-12-30
Holy Pontiff Very
Near To Some Crisis
tOOntinued from Page u

his election 10 the Papal throne.
After leaving the apartment. the
cardinal refused TO say anything ex-
cept that the Pope's condition was
unchanged. Another spokesman
said the Pope was restless at times
during the night because Of the In
tense pain in his leg, swollen by va
ricose veins. He was suffering. too,
from neuritic pains and particular
~ in the early morning hours suf-
fered from fits of asthmatic cough
ing.
Is Somewhat Improved
The semi-official news agency
conducted by Monsignor Enrico
PUGET announced this afternoon,
however, that the Pope was appre-
ciably improved after the rupture
Of several varicose veins and a re-
Sultant diminution OF pain. The
statement was the most optimistic
one from the sick room In days. 1t
said that the Pope no longer suf-
fered such atrocious pains In his
left leg because the swelled veins
permitted blood to escape freely.
thus relieving the clots. Monsignor
PUGET considered that this greatly
decreased danger of complications
and forecast that II everything pro-
ceeded normally the Pope's leg
might be normal within two months.
Special PapaI Throne
Mgsr. Pucci added that Vatican
officials are considering the con-
struction Of a special Papal throne
to permit the Pope several weeks
hence TO leave his bed and sit with
his left leg extended while attend
ing church business. Members OF
the Papal household already have
consulted several experts about
building the throne, he said.
The fact that the Roman Catholic
Church has not yet decided TO
order special prayers in churches
nor to publish daily bulletins on
the Pope's condition, accepted by
the public here as an indication
that the Pope's condition was not
yet critical. But many priests on
heir own initiative offered special
Payers in his behalf. Most people
n Rome were unaware OF the
seriousness OF the Pope's condition
assure them that he was not
gravely Ill.
General Pessimism
But there was general pessimism
around the Vatican regarding the
poDe's chance for recovery. A report
Was spread today but not confirmed
TINT hts condition was so serious
tllat he was not expected to survive
The end OF January.
Questioned about the optimistic
statement ON the Pope's condition
issued by Mgr. Pucci. responsible
f,ef were less inclined to such
rful forecasts.
tElc doctor said that rupture Of
thu yaricose veins, while relieving
pain, also may lead TO other COM
plications because it increases the
possibility Of septic poisoning or
slew poisoning Of the system.
No Sedatives Given
Because Of the necessity Of con-
sewing the strength of the popc's
he2rt TO combat tht growing weak
ness In his general condition, 1t was
understood, it has been thought IN
advisable TO administer sedatives to
relieve the pain. Instead, 1t was said,
cordials have been given him TO
keep up his strength.
All over Italy, people are praying
fSN oh Ia frys thu pAt.a'u
Vatican City authorities expressed
pleasure at news that diocesan
branches Of the Holy Name society
in the United States had caused
prayers for the Pope to be broadcast
Throughout the world.
1t was explained, however, that the
Offering OF these prayers was due TO
private initiative and not to re-
quest by the Vatican or the heir
archy of the Roman Catholic church
in the United States, because pub
lie prayers, in prescribed form, are
ordered only when the Pope'S condi-
ton Is considered so serious as TO
lead 10 certain death.
No Prayer Messages
In Such cases, prayers are re-
quested by the state secretariat OF
the Vatican through messages tele-
graphed TO bishops all over the
world. Ofiicials said today that no
such message had been sent because
the Popes condition as yet was be-
licved not 10 require 1t.
But 1t Is the universal belief that
at best His Holiness Is fighting a
losing battle against permanent i'm
mobility. Ills condition Is growing