POPE'S CONDITION "VERY SERIOUS."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 34, 10 February 1939, Page 7

POPE'S CONDITION "VERY SERIOUS."

GRAVE ANXIETY. Severe Attack Of Cardiac Asthma. REVIVED BY INJECTIONS. United Press Association.—Copyright. • , (Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, February 0. A message from Koine at 10 p.m. stated that the Pope's condition was reported very serious. Semi-offlcially it was announced that he was weaker. Rome churches were thronged tonight with faithful praying for the Pope's recovery. The Vatican is prepared, lor a long vigil. His Holiness had passed' a fairly good night, hut during the morning it was noticed Hint his indisposition, dating from Sunday, persisted with general weakening, accompanied by a, slight fever. ■ All attack of cardiac asthma occurred at 4.20 and lasted until 5 o'clock, when the Pope gradually recovered under the care of Dr. Ttocchi, who was attending 'owing to the illness of the Pope's personal doctor, Professor Jlilani. A second heart attack occurred at 7.30, after which his Holiness was unable to speak. It was feared .that the last moment had come, but Br. Hocchi, now assisted by Dr. liianchi C'csa, administered an injection, after which tile Pope had a slight rest. Semi-official sources state that the attack lasted 40/' minutes. There was only one thought as night fell, "Will the heart stand up to the strain?" During the evening rumours that the Pope was dead caused crowds to assemble, llany cardinals and' bishops called at the Vatican to inquire.

DOCTORS' FEAR. CALL FOR PRAYER. Blessed Sacrament Brought To Bedside." COLLAPSE IN AFTERNOON. United l'ress Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) ROME, February 9. The Pope collapsed at 4.45 p.m. to-day. He was unconscious and given adrenalin injection and revived at 5.15. It is stated that he then fell into a "restorative sleep," but later it was stated that his condition was "extremely grave."

JJis physicians fear bronchial pneumonia setting in. The Blessed Sacrament was brought to his bedside and he was still sleeping at G p.m. i The Pope .had received liis niece, Marchese Upoliiii, in thc-inorniiijr when lie seemed to be bearing up well, but he collapsed in the afternoon from' a heart attack. Archbishop Schuster of Milan, who is mentioned as the next Pope, arrived at Koine. The physicians cancelled all the Pope's audiences to-day And advised him that he must continue to rest, although preparations were continued for him to receive the address of the bishops on Saturday. A bulletin requested three days' prayer for the Pope's health. If 'stated that his condition was stationary witll a slight decline of the fever, j