HIS LAST MOMENTS

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 173, 22 July 1903, Page 5

HIS LAST MOMENTS

IMPRESSIVE SCENES.

UNIVERSAL REGRET

(By Cable.—Press Association.) Copyngiit.)

ROME, July 21

The Camerlengo verified the Pope's deuth with the customary ceremonies, omitting the tapping of the forehead thrice with the silver hammer, sprinkling instead with holy water from a silver bowl, while calling aloud thrice, "Gioaeehino" (the dead Pope's name). He then pronounced the Pope dead. The Fisherman's Ring wa,s next removed from the Pope's hand, and the bod} 7 , which had been meantime attired in Pontifical vestments, was removed Co the Tapestry Chamber, preliminary to the public exposition in St. Peter's. The Pope's death created a great impression in Rome. The populace was quiet and reverent. Many shops were closed, and flags flown at half-mast. The bands stopped playing, and vast crowds congregated at the Vatican and St. Peter's. ROME, July 21. Further particulars of the Pope's death show that there was a marked change for the worse at half-past eleven p.m., when the Pope's breathing was most difficult. The Cardinals were summoned, and Cardinal Vanutelli recited the prayers for the dying. Mons. Pilfer, the Pope's sacristan, gave the Absolution." His Holiness showed little sign of consciousness till his threi; nephews knelt at the bedside. Then, with a supreme effort, the Pope raised his hand in the act of blessing, repeating t,he gesture in the direction of the Cardinals and the Household. At half-past one unconsciousness supervened, and the breathing was more difficult, ceasing at four minutes past four a.m., after a slight convulsive movement. Throughout the 17 clays' struggle the Pope exhibited marvellous courage and no impatience. He preserved his intellect throughout. Cardinal Oreglia, the Camerlengo, has assumed control, and strangers have been ordered to leave the Vatican. The closing of the bronze gates informed the public of the Pope's death. LONDON, July 21. Profound sorrow in expressed in Europe at the Pope's death, and the press unanimously laud his saintly character. The "Times" says the late Pope was a great bishop, a great thinker, and a great student. WASHINGTON", July 21. President Roosevelt has cabled to Cardinal Rampolla that America is conscious that the Christian world has sustained a great loss. ROME, July 21. The Italian Government has promised the Conclave complete liberty in connection with the election of a successor to Leo. XHI. SYDNEY, July 21. Regret at the Pope's death is widely expressed. The flags on the Government buildings were hoisted to half-mast. BRISBANE, July 21. The Governor's Speech at the opening of the Queensland Parliament contained the following paragraph referring to tha death of the Pope: "I am sure that even those amongst us who do not belong to the Church of which the late Pontiff was the head and ornament will sympathise with our Roman Catholic brethren in the loss they have sustained."