LAST HOURS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23269, 11 February 1939, Page 13

LAST HOURS

. FATAL ILLNESS PASSING at dawn *HEAET SEIZUBES gradual weakening Jsy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 10. 7.15 p.m.) ROME. Feb. 10 His Holiness Pope Pius XI. died 4.31 a.m. to-day (Greenwich time), a few miriutes after the administration of extreme unction. The Pope collapsed at 4.45 p.m. yesterday. He was unconscious and was given an injection of adrenalin, and revived at 5.15 p.m. It is stated that he then fell into a "restorative sleep," bat later it was stated that his condition was "extremely grave." During the evening rumours that the Pope was dead caused crowds to assemble. Many cardinals and bishops called at the Vatican to inquire. Churches Thronged The churches were thronged with faithful praying for the Pope's recovery. His Holiness had passed a fairly good sicht. hut during the morning, when he received his niece. Marchese TTgoline, and seemed to be bearing up well, it was noticed that his indisposition, dating from Sunday, persisted with general weakening, accompanied by a slight fever. An attack of cardiac asthma occurred at 4.20 p.m., and lasted until 5 p.m., when the Pope gradually recovered Tinder the care of Dr. Rocchi, -who was attending owing to the illness of the Pope's personal doctor, Professor ililani. The Blessed Sacrament was brought to his bedside and he was still sleeping at 6 p.m. Second Heart Attack A second heart attack occurred at 7.30 p.m., after which his Holiness was unable to speak. It was feared that 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,.

At 10 p.m. it was stated that the lope's condition was reported very serious. Semi-officiallv it was announced that he was weaker.

A bulletin requested three days' prayer for the Pope's health. It stated that his condition was stationary with a slight decline of the fever. Archbishop Schuster, of Milan, who is mentioned as likely to be the next Pope, arrived at Rome. When the Pope's relapse occurred, 200 cardinals and bishops were assembling for week-end ceremonies in celebration of the 17th anniversary of His Holiness' coronation, and the tenth timiversary of the Concordat with Italy, ibe Pope's entourage said his will to live until he addressed the gathering of bishops to-morrow on the relations of Church and State was so great that he might hold out. A biographical sketch of the life of Pope Pius XI. and other references to lis death are published on page 15.