The Pope’s Health.

Manawatu Herald, 9 July 1903, Page 2

The Pope’s Health.

The patient was conscious when acquainted on Sunday afternoon with the gravity of his. condition. His Holiness calmly expressed a desire for the administration of the last sacrament. In the evening the Pope’s Sacristan, in the presence of sixteen Cardinals and many dignitaries of the Church, administered the sacrament in the Vatican. The Pope’s responses were audible, though he was too feeble to, address the Cardinals. Many wept and kissed his hands. One whispered, “Our prayers will save you.” The Pope replied, “ I am going to eternity.” The physicians think the disease does not exhibit a tendency to spread beyond the two centres of the lungs where it is localised. The city is' shrouded in a thick mist. The populace interpret this as a bad omen. The Pope exhibited remarkable mental clearness while making his final spiritual and temporal, depositions. Mazzoni was summoned on Saturday, and agreed that his Holiness’ condition was serious, but there were no immediately alarming symptoms on SUnday, The heart’s weakness caused fears of a sudden stoppage. When generally conscious, the patient has long lapses of stupor. The Pope took soup twice during the night. Towards dawn his Holiness was placed in an armchair where he was reclining when at half-past eight the doctors visited him. The latest bulletin states that the Pope Spent a less restless night, though he had little sleep. His pulse is weak, but not Intermittent, and his temperature is below normal. An official stated that the Pope was engaged writing for some time at his desk during the morning. Mazzoni, one of tle physicians, declares that the hour of fatal termination depends upon the rapidity wherewith the lung hardens. He says the Pope will go out like a lamp whose oil has run dry.