THE POPE’S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 January 1922, Page 5

THE POPE’S DEATH.

THE FINAL SCENES. HOW THE END CAME. POPE'S LAST THOUGHTS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyrtgtt. Received Jan. 23, 5.5 p.m. Rome. Jan. 22. When the Pope regained consciouste=s on Saturday evening he asked Cardinal Vico to say mass in hie chamber »r. Sunday morning, but the wish was ated not to be fulfilled. To those around .he bedside he said, with a smile: ‘'Do rou know how much I have spent on lectors during my life—two lire.” This vas the last flicker of intelligence; the icart gradually ceased to function and ihe Pope died on the fifth day of his iness. All strength had not left the lying man. Once he sat up and drank water and expressed a willingness to iress, and he had to be gently restrain* id by a motik who acted as a nurse, ind his sister, Countess Persico, who was present with her two sons. There were also present Cardinal Giorgi and ihe Pope’s personal attendants. The death room overlooked the great piazza of St. Peter’s, and was provided with only the simplest furniture —a brass bedstead and a writing table, a washstand, and a praying stool. In the courtyard below throughout Saturday afternoon and evening the chief clergy. dip?omatist«. and the leader of the Catholic Society waited, while there were animated scenes in the square, the crowds waiting until the small hours. Once the news came that the Pope had rallied and a monk cried “a miracle,” and there was excitement, until a bulletin was issued stating that his Holiness was again sinking. The King and Queen of Italy led the national solcitude and prayed for the Pope in their private chapel. The King of England sent telegrams of inquiry. During his lucid interval the Pope said to his old doctor, Dr. Battistini: *"lly dream was of great and human social questions.” This was in reference to the | problems of reconstruction after the war. His Holiness also said: ‘‘Let us willingly offer our lives for the peace of the world.” Almost his last words were: “If the Lord desires me still to :abor for His Church I am ready, but !f He says ‘Enough.’ then let His will 3e done.” Dr. Battistini knelt down ind prayed: “Take me, 0 Lord, but spare the Pope.”. The dying man took the sacrament (gain at midnight. He could hardly tear Monseigneur declare: “The mass is 3ni>hed," though the Pope's lips moved ss if in prayer. Masses were celebrated jontinuously in the chapel adjoining his bedroom, but the Pope was unable to follow them.

A great change came at three o’clock in the morning. His features became cadaveric in pallor; the blood circulation was irregular, and his extremities began to turn cold. The Pope lost consciousness at 3.30, but just before ne died his eyes opened for a moment and rested on the weeping group at the bedaide. Then the rigidity of death supervened. The Pope several times invoked the spiritual aid of the Madonna of Pompeii. The body was removed to the Throne •Oom. where the Vatican authorities and Ihe diplomatic corps view it. In his will the Pope expressly forbids the em- ( oaiming of his body. Prince Chigi has assumed charge of ihe Vatican. The names mentioned for the Papacy are Cardinals Lafontaine and Ratti. * The choice is likely to fall an a man versed in statecraft rather than on a theologian. The continuance jf the liberal construetrve policy towards the Austrian States is desirable, so Cardinal Gasparri is a possible selection. — Cable Assn.

THE LAST MOMENTS. DESPERATE FIGHT FOR LIFE. Rome, Jan. 21. By the Pope's bedside towards the end* were Cardinals in purple cassocks, kneeling in silent prayer. The hush was only broken by the sobs of those at the beside, the low chant of the penitential psalms, and the occasional delirious words from the dying Pontiff as the malady slowly undermined his store erf nervous energy, vainly resisting its progress. The Pope fully realised his condition, and handed his will to Cardinal Gasparri. He was afterwards visited by a nephew, Marquis Chiesa. whom his Holiness requested to pray for him. Apparently the attendants mistook the coma for death, and informed the waiting journalists; thus the news was prematurely flashed throughout the world.

The Pope made a desperate fight for life. In his lucid moments his indomitable will reasserted itself, and he conversed with the prelates and nurses. For example, when informed that his entourage were praying for the world’s peace, the Pope replied: “I willingly offer my life for peace.” He rallied at midnight and instructed his Majordomo to wake him for morning service in the chapel adjoining the sick room. The Pope’s death throes began at five o’clock, and at 5.25 the last absolution was given by Cardinal Giorgi. Cardinal Gasparri was called at 5.30 because the Pope had fallen into A state of coma. Doctor Cherubini pronounced that death had occurred at six o’clock.— Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn. BODY LYING IN STATE. Rome, Jan. 22. The Pope’s body has been transferred to the Throne room, where it lies in date. The Sacred College is discussing devils of the burial and the election of & successor. ANNOUNCING THE NEWS. HISTORIC CEREMONIES. Rome, Jan. 22. The Pope’s death was announced to the public early on Sunday morning by solemn pealing bells of the city’s 400 churches. “God’s will be done" was one pf the last conscious utterances of Benedict. During the long death agony it filled the watchers with deep emotions. After receiving the last unction the Pope and blessed the officiating clergyman. After his Holiness’ death preparations were immediately began for historic ceremonies connected with the death of * Pope. One of the first is the AsmhiMt of Cardinals to call the dead

Pontiff bv name, and when no answer is received a cardinal removes the fisherman’s ring, the symbol of papal authority, which is broken ana re-maae for the next Pope. Many favour the election of Cardinal Gasparri as the next Pope, although the election of a dead Pope’s Secretary of State is an almost unheard of proceeding. THE SISTER CHURCH. PRAYERS IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY. IRISH NATION’S” SYMPATHY. Received Jan. 23, 5.5 p.m. London, Jan. 22. During the morning service in Westminster Abbey the Dean (Dr. Role) announced the Pope’s dellth“Although there exist great dlffe >® nc “ between the Church of England and the Church of Rome, we are all members of the “reat Church throughout the world. Therefore, I ask you to kneel for a few moments in silent prayer, expressing prayerful sympathy with your fellow Roman Christians in the loss they have sustained.” Mr. Arthur Griffith and Mr. Michael Collins telegraphed to Cardinal Gasparri conveying condolences on behalf of the Irish nation. All amusements and ot -r fixtures arranged for Monday in Dubi n have been postponed.—Aus.-N.Z. Game Assn.