SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE HOLY FATHER

New Zealand Tablet, 17 April 1913, Page 36

SERIOUS ILLNESS OF THE HOLY FATHER

'."...• A cable message from Rome under date April 8 stated that his Holiness the Pope on the previous day gave audience to a number of prelates, lie appeared to be in his usual health, but fainted in his study during the evening from heart weakness. A later message stated that he was suffering from an acute attack of Bright's disease, and that his temperature was up to 100. * A cable of April 9 stated that the relatives of his Holiness had been summoned to the Vatican, and that prayers had been ordered in all the churches in the internal City. He passed a better night, but was still very depressed and weak. More hopeful reports came to hand on Saturday when we were - informed that his Holiness was slightly better, but that the weakness of the heart and the intermittency were the cause of much anxiety. He passed a fair night, and his condition was unchanged. A message from Rome, dated Sunday, brought the disquieting news that his Holiness had a relapse on Saturday night, and that his temperature was up to 103. His illness has been diagnosed as tracheal bronchitis. A message, under date April 13, was more hopeful. It said : The Pope passed a tranquil night, and the fever has diminished, but the tracheal bronchial symptoms persist, especially on the left side. The kidneys are working well, and his general condition is satisfactory. The physicians are convinced he will recover. The physicians, though declaring there is no immediate danger, admit that the - disease" is making steady headway, and that the bronchial catarrh is s extending lungward. A message under date April 15 states that his Holiness is now free from fever, and the improvement in his condition continues.