SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE POPE

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 28, 9 July 1903, Page 18

SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE POPE

♦ WORLD-WIDE SYMPATHY The disquieting news regarding the Holy Father's health, which was cabled to the colonies on. Monday, stating that his Holiness had two fainting fits, the result of over-fatigue, did not cause a great deal of anxiety, as messages of a similar purport have been sent out from time to time by the press agencies in Home without sufficient cause. However, when the news of the Holy Father's dan^eious condition was confirmed by messages received here on Tuesday the greatest anxiety was felt for the venerable Pontiff, whoso long and glorious reign has been so fruitful of blessings to. the Church. The following cable news appeared in Tuesday's papers :—: — The Pope passed a restless night. A second fainting fit occurred this morning and lasted half an hour. A. later improvement dispelled the idea of immediate danger. The newspaper ' Tribune ' states that the Pope is suffering from intestinal disorders, complicated by heinorrhoidal symptoms.

Doctors Laponni and Mazzoni, the Pope's physicians, admit that he is suffering from senile pulmonary hepatiziation. Bulletins issued late on Sunday evening, announced that his weakness had slightly increased. The pulmonary condition was unchanged, but the breathing was somewhat rapid. The pulse, while weaker, was not irregular. The temperature was below the normal. 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 sacraments. In the evening the Pope's sacristan, in the presence of 16 Cardinals and many dignitaries of the Church, administered the viaticum. 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, ' 1 ani 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. There is some hope he wiill linger a few days, with the assistance of the oxygen treatment and other stimulants.

Leo XIII. was in his usual health until Friday afternoon, except for a slight attack of dysentery and depression. Dr. Laponni ad\ised a drive in the gardens. The Pope complained of illness while out, and returned and went to bed. Dr. Mazzoni was summoned on Saturday, and agreed that the Pope's condition was serious, but that there were no immediately alarming symptoms. On Sunday heart weakness caused fears of a sudden stoppage. While generally conscious, the Pope has long lapses of stupor. The Pope exhibited remarkable mental clearness while making his final spiritual and temporal depositions. King Emanuel is receiving frequent reports of the Pope's condition. Profound sympathy is expressed throughout Europe. The following messages appeared in Wednesday's papers — The Pope took, soup twice during Sunday night. Towards dawn he was placed m an arm chair, whore he was reclining when at half-past eight tho doctors visited him. The latest bulletin states that ho had spent a less restless night, though he had had but little sleep. The pulse is weak, but not intermittent, and the temperature below normal A Papal official stated that tho Pope was engaged writing some time at his desk during the morning.

Dr. Mazzoni declares that the hour of fatal termination depends upon the rapidity wheiewith the Hing hardens. The Pope's life would «o out like a lamp the oil of which had run diy.

The Pope showed a slight improvement on Monday as a result of stimulants. He took a little food, sat in an arm chair in order to assist his breathing, and attended to business, in defiance of his physicians' injunction, declaring that he wished to be in harness. Ho said he could die happy since he had obeyed hiis conscience and striven for the Church's welfare His Holiness dictated a poetic invocation to the Redeemer and Virgin and a farewell to all Christians. Towards evening accentuated symptoms of general depression appeared, and the respirations became more frequent and superficial. The pulse became weak and at tunes imperceptible. The intellect is unimpaired

King Edward and most rulers telegraphed to the Vatican for news of the Pope Messages of inquiry and svmpnthy have been received from all parts of the world.

At 3 p.m. to-day (Wednesday) mst as we are going <o press the news is that there has been practically no change in the condition of his Holiness