Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-02
POPE
Continued From Page Al


quietly asserted his readiness
to give up his life for Christian
unity and world peace.
II have been able to follow
the course of my death step by
STEP" he told a prelate in a
period Of lucidity. Nov am
going sweetly toward the end"
Example in Death
The Pontiff suffered periods
of pain and difficulty in
breathing, and at times was ad-
ministered oxygen. but visitors
to the room said he maintained
a serene look at all times.
The Vatican radio said the
Pontiff exhibited a spirit that
showed us so simply and mag
nificently how to die"
John XIII has always
taught us to live WE'LL" one
caller to the papal apartment
told the Vatican newspaper
L'OSservatore Romano. Nov
he is showing us how one can
and must die we'll"
The few visitors permitted
into the papal chamber said
tears welled in their eyes as
they watched the scene.
The Pope's sister sat at his
right in one of six red damas-
Gus chairs around his bed.
In her lap was a silver bowl
filled with water. From time to
time she dipped a white hand
kerchief in the water and
dabbed the Pope's forehead.
Her touch was professional.
She had once been a nurse.
Brother Gives Oxygen
Across the bed sat the three
brothers, hardy North Italian
farmers. They wanted to do
more than just watch as life
ebbed from the Pope.
One of the doctors, Piero
Mazzoni, who had watched over
the Pope night and day through
his grave illness, understood
the desires Of the brothers.
He showed S0-year-old Zav-
eric, the eldest, how to hold the
oxygen mask that helped boost
the Pope through periods of
difficult breathing.
The brothers and sister were
flown to Rome from their ma
tive village of Soto II Monte
Friday night, arriving just as
the Pope entered a period Of
alternating consciousness and
unconsciuosness. Since then
they have rarely left the Pope's
apartment.
They were there as the
princes of the church - the
Cardinals = streamed through
the palace to see the Pope and
pray for him.
Pope's Face Serene
A thick red carpet on the
floor muffled the steps of the
visitors. Lights were dimmed
Everyone who saw the Pope re-
ported how serene he face was,
But an announcement at 900
pm. Saturday disclosed that
doctors had ordered all visits
suspended except those by the
Pope's family.
Faithful Maintain Vigil
While the Pope's relatives
maintained their vigil i'll the
bedchamber, down on st.
Peters Square, members of the
Pope's flock maintained theirs.
Now it was early Sunday
Pentecost Sunday. a holiday
commemorative the establish
ment Of the Roman Catholic
Church-and a quarter moon
cast a silvery light over the
ancient stones Of the great
circular piazza. No traffic
noises came from the deserted
streets nearby. The only sounds
were the cool splashings of the
fountains and the soft murmur
of prayers from the lips Of the
watchers.
A light breeze brought the
scent Of jasmin from the nearby
papal gardens. In the early
hours. many in the square
drifted homeward. But hun
dreds remained. their faces
turned upward. their eyes on
the shattered window Of the
room where Pope John lay
dying.
10000 at Milan Mass
In Milan 10000 persons
braved a rainStorm TO attend
a midnight mass and pray for
the Pope at the city's open air
Vigorelli Stadium.
The mass was celebrated by
Battista Cardinal Montini,
Archbishop of Milan. He had
returned to Milan an hour ear
lier after seeing Pope John. He
had flown to Rome w.sn the
Pope's relatives.
The Cardinal-often men,
toned as a likely candidate for
the papacy-was one Of the
many visitors the Pope received
as long as he was able Friday
and Saturday.
During the afternoon, the
Pope gave a special blessing u
his home diocese Of Bergamo
in Northern Italy. The Bishop
Of Bergamo was in his room
at the time.
Baron Prosper Poswick. Bel
gian ambassador 10 the Vatican
and dean OF the diplomatic
corps accredited 10 the Hol!
See, also visited the Pope.
Surprises Doctors
The Pontiffs amazing figh
surprised even his doctors, bu
Vatican radio reminded that III
remained on the threshold o.
this life and the next"
The Roman Catholic ruler
who had given a new image Il
shn faanaey IN a reign tina