Death of the Pope.

Manawatu Herald, 23 July 1903, Page 2

Death of the Pope.

The Pope is dead. Shortly before the end the diplomatic representatives were admitted to see the Pope, who, with great difficulty, pronounced the benediction, all kissing his hand. A brief agony preceded the Pope’s death.

There Was a marked change for the worse at 11.80 and breathing was most difficult. The Cardinals were summoned and Vannutolli recited the prayer# for the dying. Mons. Piffer, the Pope’s sacristan, gave the absolution. There was little sign of consciousness until his three nephews knelt beside the bedside; then, with supreme effort, the Pope raised his hands in the act of blessing, repeating the gesture in the direction of the Cardinals and the household. At half-past one unconsciousness supervened, and breathing became more difficult, ceasing at four minutes past four, after a slight convulsive movement.

The Oamerlingo (Papal Chamberlain) Verified the Pope's death, with the customary ceremonies, omitting the tapping of the forehead thrice With the silver hammer, sprinkling it instead with Holy Water from a silver bowel while calling aloud thrice, “ Gioaohino! ” the dead Pope’s name. Ho then pronounced the Pope dead.

The Fisherman's ting Was, forthwith removed from the Pope's hand and the body, attired in pontifioial vestment, removed to the tapestry chamber as a preliminary to a public exposition at St Peter’s The death of the Pontiff created a great impression in Rome. The populace Were quiet and re verent.

Many shops were closed, flags were half-masted, the bands stopped playing, and vast crowds congregated at the Vatican and at St. Peter’s Throughout the seventeen days of the struggle the dying Pontiff exhibited marvellous courage and no impatience, and preserved his intellect throughout. Cardinal Uregila, the Oamerlingo, then assumed control, and strangers were ordered to leave the Vatican.

The closing of the bronze gates informed the public of the Pope’s death.

Profound sorrow ia expressed in Europe at the Pope’s death. The Press unanimously laud hia saintly character. The Times says : “ The late Pope was a great bishop, student, and thinker. The Italian Government has promised the Conclave complete liberty in connection with the Pope’s successor. In the closing years of his life the Pope, says a oontempory, devoted himself with increasing earnestness to the welfare of his flock, and in a short poem on himself has summed u,> his work : Justice I sought; and toil and lengthened strife And taunts and wiles and every hardship, life Has burdened : I, Faith’s champion, do not bend; _ For Christ’s flock sweet the pain, . sweet the life in bonds to meet. The Pope is reputed to have been always a trifle, superstitious. Much as he believed in his physicians, he believed more in hia own incredible vitality and bis atavism, for all the Peccis are long lived. His grandmother died at ninety-six, and he long held the idea that he would die at the same age. THE POPE’S SUCCESSOR. It is stated, with some authority, that there will be a postponement of the Pope’s election to enable Cardinal Moran to participate. On the other band, it is alleged that this is extremely unlikely, if not impossible.