Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-06-03
POPE
Continued From Page A.

OUHttHuCu EEOAu raw a
overcome" said Vatican Radio
Effectiveness Of medical help
is diminishing from moment to
moment. =.
Even the psychic faculties
secretary; the Cardinal Secre-
tary Of State Amleto Cicog-
mani; the Pope's nephew, Msgr.
Giovanni Battista Roncalli,
and the Pope's confessor, Msgr
Giuseppe Cavagna, celebrated
mass in the Pope's apartment
this morning.
Top Prelates Arrive
The Vatican Radio also re-
ported Benedetto Cardinal Alo-
Isl Masella, the Cardinal cham
berlain, had gone to the Vati-
can along with Archbishop
Francisco Carpino. secretary Of
the College of Cardinals.
Cardinal Aloisi Masella has
the duty of certifying the
the death of a Pope and be-
comes a sort Of interim admin
istrator during the interreg-
mum between Popes.
Archbishop Carpino would
take over the duties of Vatican
Secretary Of State, an office
that lapses on a Pope's death.
Pulse Beat Eases
The 8l-year-old pontiff sur
vived another crisis last night
and yet another early today.
Since Friday his doctors have
said each day would probably
be his last.
The first medical bulletin OF
the day reported that the Pope's
pulse beat had eased from a
high Of 140 beats early this
morning to a steady 1870. His
hold on life was attributed to
the perfect integrity" of his
heart and circulatory system
and his exceptional robust
ness"
I'm the past IL hours there
have frequently been periods of
loss Of consciousness and fail
ure to react to stimulants," the
bulletin said.
His body temperature con-
tinues to remain high. Admin
istration Of oxygen and the
presence Of adequate breathing
has permitted the conservation
Of a sufficient oxygenation. His
arterial pressure at 8 am. was
lis and his pulse had a beat
Of 100 with a steady rhythm. I"
One Vatican source said ter
rible commissions almost shook
the Pope off his bed at one
point this morning. Doctors
were using sedatives to ease
his pain, but the source said
the pontiff during his periods
OF consciousness refused them.
At $3.50 am. the Vatican said
he was fully conscious and able
to follow the recitation of
prayers by those at his bedside.
Death almost came at sun
set Observation-Disclosures SUM-
day-when the Pope suffered
an alarming crisis. 1t brought
a Vatican Radio plea to the
world for prayer. Again his
heart pulled him through.
Through the early hours Of
today the Vatican issued a Sc
ries Of statements saying that
the agony was continuing
slowly, the Pope's life was ebb-
ing, there was nothing to do
but wait.
The Vatican said that the
Pope's resistance to death had
defied every medical expecta-
Non.
Mostly In Coma
Consciousness came and went
as the Pope lived through the
night. but most Of the time
he was in a coma.
Only loss Of consciousness
eased Pope Johns pain, the ra-
dig said.
when he can" said the an
nouncement. "he concentrates
on prayer"
Mass was celebrated again
early this morning in the room
next to the Pope's bedroom.
1t was dedicated TO his ex-
pressed wish that his life be a
sacrifice for his church, his
Ecumenical Council and man
kind.
I'VE are waiting" said the
Vatican, as thousands Of de-
vout kept a prayerful vigil
have undergone since yester-
day a slow and continuous de-
cline. The possibility of express
sion has diminished further.
Moments Of perception and re-
action to stimulants are less
frequent and more brief. Dur
ing them John XIII has con-
tinued to offer a moving ex-
ample Of faith"
The radio said Msgr. Loris
Capovilla, the Pope's personal
through the night in rain
drenched st. Peters square be-
low the windows Of the Pope's
apartment.
With the dawn the crowd
swelled again as the devout
streamed through the city 10
the great circular courtyard
Many prayed that death would
come soon to end their beloved
Pope's agony.
Going Out Like Candle
A high prelate sorrowfully
told newsmen the pontiff SIS
passing away most slowly,
going out like a candle"
Doctors said there was
nothing they could do 10 treat
the Pope's ailment. a stomach