YESTERDAY'S NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 172, 21 July 1903, Page 5

YESTERDAY'S NEWS.

THE POPE SINKING

EXTREME UNCTION

ROME, July 20,

The extraordinary heat on Saturday night greatly tried the Pope, whose weakness and nervous agitation were extreme. He remained in an almost contiuous state of stupor all day, and there was a fresh failure of strength in the evening. The. Vatican has invited the prayers of the faithful, as the end is inevitable. The Pope kissed the sacred relics, making the sign of the Cross with difficulty. In a fit of delirium he spoke in three 3anguages, apparently blessing Bavarian pilgrims. The final struggle commenced at ten o'clock in the evening, when the Pope lost consciousness, and lay in a profound coma. The doctors think he can hardly live till dawn, and is certain not to survive to-day. A bulletin issued at nine o'clock in the morning stated that the Pope had a brief rest during the night. LONDON, July 20. Surprise is expressed in Paris and Rome at the Pope's reported delegation of extensive spiritual powers to Cardinal Rampolla (the Papal Secretary of Staite). It is alleged that it is unprecedented for a Pope to delegate such powers when in articulo mortis. SYDNEY, July 20. Cardinal Moran, accompanied by Dean left by to-night's express to join the Oroya at Melbourne, en route to Borne.