ACTION BY ITALY.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 January 1922, Page 3

ACTION BY ITALY.

ROME, January 22. Government for first time in the history of United Italy, ordered the municipalities to half nuyst 'flags and places of amusement were closed foi two days. The action is regarded as most significant THE ROPE'S LAST WORDS. ■Received This Day at 10.15 a.m.) ROM®, January 2. The Rope’s death was announced to the public early .this morning, by the solemn pealing of the bells of the city at four hundred churches. God’s will be done”, was one of the last conscious utterances of Benedict, during a long death agony. It filled the watchers with deep emotion and after receiving the last unction the Pope •thonkedj and! blessed the officiating clergy. After his death, preparations were immediately begun for the histone ceremonies connected with the death of the Pope. One of the first is the assembly of Cardinals to calL the dead Pontiff by name, and when ho answer is received, a Cardinal removes the fisherman’s rihg, the symbol of Papal authority, which is broken and remade for the next Pope. Marty favour the election of Cardinal Gasparri as the next Pope, although the election of the dead Pope’s Secretary of State' is an almost uhhenrd of proceeding. London, January 22. At 1.2(1 a.m. the Pope’s death was confirmed. BODY LIES IN STATE. ROME, January 22. The Popes’ body was transferred to the Throne room where it lies in State. Sacred College is discussing the details of the burial and election of a successor. AT THE BEDSIDE; (Received This Day at 9.40 a.m.) ROME, Jan 21. By the Pope’s bedside towards the end were cardinals in purple cassocks kneeling in silent prayer. The hnsh was only broken by the sobs of those at his bedside, a low chant of penitential psalms and an occasional delirious word from the dying Pontiff. As the malady slowly undermined his store of nervous energy, he vainly resisted its progress. The Pope fully realized his condition .and handed his will to Gasparri. He was afterwards visited by his nephew, Marquis Chiesa, whom His Holiness requested to pray for him. Apparently his attendants mistook the coma for death, and informed the waiting journalists. Thus the news was prematurely flashed throughout the world. Tlie Pope made a desperate fight for life in his lucid moments. His indomihitable will reasserted itself find he conversed with the prelates and the nurses. For example when informed that his entourage were praying for the world’s peace, the Pope replied:—“l viilingly offer my life for peace.” He rallied at midnight and instructed his Majordomo to wake him in time For morning service in the Chapel adjoining the sickroom.