ILLNESS OF THE POPE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXIX, Issue 12114, 8 July 1903, Page 2

ILLNESS OF THE POPE.

THE WEAKNESS INCREASING. (Jnited Press Association—Per ELectrie Telegraph—Copyright. Received 1 9.1 a.m., J.uly 7th. HOME, July 6. The Pojie took soup .twice during tho, night. Towards dawn'.he was placed in an armchair, where ha was reclining when, at half-past 8, the doctors visited him. The laUst bulletin slides that his Holi-. ness spent a less rtßtlesg. night, though he had but little sleep. His pulse is weak, but not intermittent, and his temperature below the normal.

An official stated that the Pope was engaged writing for aomfi time at his desk during the morning. Dr Mazzoni declares that the hour ,of fatal termination depends _ upon the rapidity wherewith the. lung hardens. The Pope's life will go out like a lamp .whose eil has run dry.

A SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT..' Received 10-32 p.m., July 7th. ROME, July 7., The Pope showed a slight improvement, to-day, the result of stimulants. His. Holiness took a .little food, and sat in. an. armchair in order to assist, his breathing. He attended to husiness in defiance, of his. physicians' injunctions, declaring that, hft wished to be' iiji harness, and coulrfl die happy since he.; had obeyed his conscience* and striven for the Church's welfare,. His* Holiness dictated ,11 poetic invocation to tho. Redeemer and the. Virgin, and li;wk farewell to all Christians. Towards evening tho symptoms, wero accentuated, ganeral depression respirations were more. frequent and superficial, the yulse was weak and at times imperceptible, but the intellect.,was unimpaired. Rr Mazzoni lato tjji# evening stated that unless the unexpected happened, the Pope would liye a day or two.

MESSAGES OP SYMPATHY. Received 10.40. p.m., July 7th. ROME, July 7King Edward and most of the ruler* have telegraphed to the \fatican for new*. Messages, of' inquiry and sympathy have been received from all parts of the world. Extreme unction was administered at 10 o'clock to-night, and tile Pope blessed all present. His weakness increased after midnight..