THE POPE’S HEALTH.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 837, 11 March 1903, Page 2

THE POPE’S HEALTH.

Rome, Jan. 10. Recont sensational reports concerning the Pope’s alleged breakdown at an audience for the Cardinals led a correspondent to obtain first-hand information from Professor Mazzoni, the Pope’s physician, who said in response to a question : “ You may reassure readers ; His Holiness continues to enjoy excellent health. Indeed, when disease and mortality among aged persons are at their height, it is extraordinary that Leo XIII. should have remained exempt from even a cold. This is all the more to be wondered at because he takes no special precautions and grants audiences as usual, passing from his private apartments through interminable corridors in the loggie (open galleries) of the Vatican, thereby exposing himself to changes of temperature which might have the most detrimental effect upon a less robust constitution. The Holy Father’s heart and lungs are still as sound as a bell, and Spartau simplicity of diet has preserved the digestive organs in perfect condition. "Everything justifies the hope that he may still occupy his exalted post for many years to come. But on the other hand, the slightest attack of an acute nature might pppve fatal. It is rather upon the

miraculous ujainte.ug.nce of the present conditions than anything else that we mußt rely for the prolonging of his life.” “ How do you explain,” the correspondent asked, “ the incident at the reception of the Sacred College which gave rise to such alarming rumors ? ” “It simply happened as follows,” Professor Mazzuni answered, " as it was told to mo by the Pontiff himself: He was greatly moved b,y the cordiality of the congratulatory address read by Cardinal Oreglia and wished to answer, alluding at the same time to the sorrow he felt at the numerous deaths which have occurred in the ranks of the Sacred College during the year, but he was overcome by emotion, his voice trembling, a lump rose in hjs throat and, feeling unable to proceed, he bestowed the apostolic blessing on all present and, rising without any effort, withdrew to his private apartments, The story that he was indignant at scare expressions contained in the Cardinal’s address is manifestly absurd, as the address, according to an invariable custom, had been previously submitted to and approved by him.” ' The most recent photograph taken of the Pope shows him walking with the aid of his gold-headed cane, slightly stooping under the weight of his years, but at the same time looking energetic and active. The Pontiff is usually carried from his private apartments to the Vatican Gardens in a portative chair of red damask by the sediari, or chairmen, escorted by four Swiss Guards, and by his faithful valet, Pio Centra, who stands by the chair to open the door. As tho end of his jubilee year approaches, Pope Leo XIII. displays an extraordinary amount of energy and activity, granting numerous audiences, receiving pilgrimages, publishing important documents, such as the recent one on Biblical studies, and devoting his spare time to revising his Latin poems, a complete edition of which will be issued soon. In one of these, entitled “ Deo ei Virgini Matra Extrema Leonis Vota,” originaliy written in 1896, the Pontiff has introduced some beautiful and pathetic lines referring to his approaching end. Tho Mother General of a religious sister-

hood recently had the honor of a private audience \Vith the Holy Father, to whom ' ~ ‘.sprossed her fervent hope that he sol- . he a hundred, might live tu _ ’• "'em, jji-y child,” re- “ Thank you, than.. u "“‘ea a limit plied the Pontiff, “ but why to Providence ? ”