THE LAST HOURS OF THE POPE.

Kumara Times, Issue 486, 17 April 1878, Page 2

THE LAST HOURS OF THE POPE.

[From the Osservatore Romano.]

A general rise in the temperature of the body, and an accelerated pulse on Wednesday evening, alarmed the physicians, ami at threo next morning a restorative was administered. The effect of this soon passed off, and at five there was great distress of breathing, accompanied by a sudden fall of temperature. At half past eight the pulse was feeble and frequent, while the air passages were loaded with muoms secretion. Despite these distressing symptoms, his Holiness preserved his wonted serenity and intelligence. His sacristan, Monsignor Marinelli, then administered the viaticum, and at nine the Extreme Unction. At ten the pulse was barely perceptible. By thi-i time thf exposition of the sacrament in th-* parish churches awakened the a'a'nn of the public, and tlirre was a general ru*h t<* the Vatican. Meanwhile the malady made swift progress. The surface of th«; body became chill, and a livid hue ovvrspread the extremities.

In another hour the respiratory distress was painful to witness; but still his Holiness remained calm, and taking a crucifix from under his pillow, he blessed with it the i bystanders round his bed. It was now noon, and the physicians saw that the respiration had become abdominal The members of the Sacred College were all in the room, and assiduous at the liedside were Cardinal Bilio and Monsignor Marineili. Amid the silence of the grave commenced the recommendation of -the--Holy Father's soul, and while the act of contrition was recited, he roused himself and devoutly uttered the words, " with your holy aid." At this point the breathing grew more laboured, and the death-rattle distinctly audible. Still his Holiness retained his faculties entire, and was understood imperfectly, to articulate his regret that he could not m>>re plainly express himself. Cardinal Biiio, the Penitentiary Major, then asked him to bless the Sacred College,' and his Holiness lifted his < right" hand -and blessed them. At twenty minutes to four the livid hue hud extended from the lower lin-.bs to the trunk. ' The eyes became ovcrclowded, and thß deathstruggle sej in.. Among the .constant prayers of the cardinals, wbo'relieved each other breathing consolation into his eat, the death-rattle ..continued au.lible, till at half-past 1 JnVe Cardinal Bilio began to recite the mystic offices, to which all present''responded::'■- At the commencement office, the death-rattle ceased. Thjf kneeling cardinals rose to .their, feef, and the words of absolution, repeated' in a loud voice, were accompanied by the ticking of.thtt clock, as at 47 minutVs past five it marked the spirit's flight Scarcely had the Cardinal : Petfitentiary pronounced the. words, ■ff Requiem ■ &ternam dona el l)omme," wheny.'carainals, prelates, PonMeat Guards; and attendants pressed .forward to kiss' -once more the hand which had so i often been raised in benediction over them. "Such is in substance the official Report, revised l>y Cardinal/ Simeon!,' of the last hours of Pius the : Ninth. ; •