POPE PIUS XI PASSES TO REST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 35, 11 February 1939, Page 9

POPE PIUS XI PASSES TO REST

COLLAPSE AFTER TWO HEART ATTACKS SEVENTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS CORONATION (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) Received Feb. 10, 7.53 p.m. ROME, Feb. 10. The death of Pope Pius XI occurred at 4.31 a.m. G.M.T. He had a relapse when 200 cardinals and bishops were assembling- for week-end ceremonies in celebration of the seventeenth anniversary of the Pope's coronation and the tenth anniveisary of the Concordat with Italy. The Pope's entourage said his will to live until he had addressed the bishops to-morrow was so great that he might hold out, but a later report stated that the Sacrament of the Extreme Unction, which is reserved to those who are at the point of death, was administered. Rome churches were thronged to-night with people praying for the Pope's recovery. The Vatican prepared for a long vigil. The Pope had passed a fairly good night, but during the morning it was noticed that the indisposition dating from Sunday persisted, with a general weakening, accompanied by slight fever, -jn attack of cardiac asthma occurred at 4.20 p.m. and lasted until 5 p.m. The Pope gradually recovered under the care of Dr. Rocchi, who was in attendance because of the illness of the Pope’s personal doctor, Professor Milani. The Pope was given an injection of adrenalin and revived at 5.15 p.m. It is stated that he fell into a “restorative sleep” but later it was stated that his condition was “extremely grave.” Physicians feared that bronchial pneumonia would set in. The Holy Sacraments were brought to the Pope’s bedside. The Pope was still sleeping at 6 p.m. A second heart attack occurred at 7.30 p.m., after which the Pope was unable to speak. It was feared the last moment had come, but Dr. Rocchi. now assisted by Dr. Bianchi Cesa, administered an injection, after which the Pope had a slight rest. .Semi-official sources state that the attack lasted 40 minutes. There was only one thought as night fell: “Vi ill the heart stand up to the strain?” During the evening rumours that the Pope was dead caused crowds to assemble, and many cardinals and bishops called at the Vatican to inquire. Later it was semi-officially announced that the Pope was weaker and that anxiety existed. At 10 p.m., G.M.T., the Pope’s condition was reported to be 1 very serious. ’ The Pope received his niece, the Marchese Ugolini, in the morning, when he seemed to be bearing up well, but he collapsed in the afternoon from a heart attach Cardinal Schuster, of Milan, who has been mentioned as the next Pope, arrived in Rome. The Pope's Last Words. The Pope’s last audible words were “Peace! Peace!” He tried to speak at 4 a.m.. but those at the bedside realised that the eml was near, and thereafter high church dignataries were summoned to the private apartments. .Monsignor Camillo Deromas, Sacrist at the Vatican City, administered the Last Sacrament eleven minutes before death. The Pope’s own confessor, Cardinal Lauri, arrived a few seconds too late. After his last words the Pope’s lips moved slowly. Dr. Roechi said it was occasionally possible to discern that His Holiness was trying to articulate a Latin prayer. Half a minute before his death the Pope feebly raised his right hand and attempted the sign of the Cross, imparting the last apostolic blessing of his reign. Those al the bedside fell down on their knees and several wept in silence. The Pope’s death was proclaimed throughout the Vatican City, the gates being closed. The body will lie in state in the Vatican Hall. Cardinal Paeelli has temporarily assumed the head of the Catholic Church and has convoked the cardinals from throughout the world to meet on February 28 to elect the new Pope.