Last Audible Words: “Peace, Peace”

Evening Star, Issue 23189, 11 February 1939, Page 15

Last Audible Words: “Peace, Peace”

Body to Lie in State in Vatican Hall College of Cardinals Convoked to Elect Successor Press Association—By Telegrapb-Copyrigbt VATICAN CITY, February 10. The Pope died at 4.31 a.m., G.M.T. He had a relapse when 200 cardinals and bishops were assembling for week-end ceremonies in celebration of the seventeenth anniversary of the Pope’s coronation and the tenth anniversary of the concordat with Italy. The Pope’s entourage said his will to live until he had addressed the bishops to-morrow was so great that he might hold out, but a later report stated that the Sacrament of Extreme Unction, which is reserved to those who are at the point of death, was administered. The Pope’s last audible words were, “ Peace, peace.” He tried to speak at 4 a.m., but those at the bedside realised that the end was near. Thereafter high church dignitaries were summoned to the private apartments, and Monsignor Camillo Deromas, sacrist at Vatican City, administered the last sacrament eleven minutes before death. The Pope’s own confessor, Cardinal Lauri, arrived a few seconds too late. After the last words the Pope’s lips were moving slowly, and Dr Rocchi said it was occasionaly possible to discern his Holiness trying to articulate a Latin prayer. Half a minute before his death the Pope feebly raised his ri"ht hand and attempted to make the sign of the cross, imparting the last apostolic blessing of bis reign. Those at the bedside fell down on their knees, and several wept m silence. The death was proclaimed throughout Vatican City, and the gates were closed. The body will lie in state in Vatican Hall. , • . . , Cardinal Pacelli has temporarily assumed the position ot Head of the. Catholic Church, and has convoked cardinals from throughout the world to meet on February 28 to elect a new Pope. " k