DEATH OF THE POPE

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14065, 11 February 1939, Page 5

DEATH OF THE POPE

RELAPSE EARLY YESTERDAY

ON ANNIVERSARY OF CORONATION

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ROME, February 10. His Holiness the Pope died at 4.31 a.m. G.M.T. He had a relapse when too Cardinals and Bishops were assembling for week-end ceremonies in the celebration of the seventeenth anniversary of the pope’s coronation and the tenth anniversary of the Concordat with Italy. The Pope’s entourage said nis will to live until he >'<ad addressed the Bishops to-morrow was so great that he might hold out, but a later report stated that the Sacrament of the Extreme Unction, which is reserved to those who are at the point of death, was administered “PEACE PEACE** POPES LAST WORDS MOVING SCENE AT BEDSIDE VATICAN CITY, February 10. The Pope’s last audible words were: “Peace, Peace.’’ He tried to speak. At 4 a.m. those at his beds'de realised the end was near, after which high Church dignitaries were summoned to the private apartments. Monsignor Camille de Romas, Sacrist of Vatican City, administered the last Sacrament 11 minutes before His Holiness’ death. The Pope’s own confessor, Cardinal Lauri, arrived a few seconds too late. After his last words the Pope’s lips were moving slowly. Doctor Rocchi said it was occasionally possible to discern his Holiness trying to articulate a Latin prayer. Half a minute before his de3th the Fope feebly raised his right hand and attempted to make the sign of the Cross, imparting the last apostolic blessing of his reign. Those at the bedside tell down on their knees. Several wept in silence. The Pope’s death was proclaimed throughout Vatican City and the gates were closed. The body will Ire in state in the Vatican Hall. Cardinal Paceili has temporarily assumed the position of head of the Catholic Church. He has convoked Cardinals from throughout ihe world to meet on February 28 to elect a new Pope. FIRST FUNERAL RITES BEGUN SOLEMN PROCESSION IN VATICAN FRECINCTS. VATICAN CITY. February 10. After the Cardinals had filed past the bedside and kissed the hand of tjie Pope, the Prefect of Ceremonies, Monsigno,- Respighi, dressed the Pope in Pontificial robes. The embalming of the body will take probably two days, before the public are able to pay its last respects. A Saint Peter's official communiqua states that, following the death, the Pontiff seat was declared vacant. During this period the government of the Church is entrusted to his Secretary of State, Cardinal Pacelii. The first funeral rites began in the Pontificial Palace as dawn broke. The Pope's body was dressed in lull ceremonial white robes and his head covered with a white skullcap on which a high pontificial mitre was placed. The body was then laid on a stretcher wrapped in black and gold cloth and slowly carried downstairs to the throne room and thence to the Vatican Basiiica at Saint Peter’s. A guard took up watch with drawn swords.