Post #6417

THE PRECIOUS TRANSIT OF POPE PIUS IX Pius IX in his gaze showed the tranquility of his spirit. At 11:30 his hands, now livid, still had so much strength to draw the crucifix from under the bedside and bless the bystanders, then kiss it with unspeakable emotion. Towards the bell ring, one hour after noon, Cardinal Bilio began to recite the prayers of the recommendation of the soul, and the Holy Pontiff, although with great difficulty, repeated them. Then he said in domum Domini ibimus; and Cardinal Bilio having paused before beginning the proficiscere, the dying man said: Yes, yes, proficiscere ... such was the clarity of his mind! At about 3.30, Pius IX went into agony, unconscious and with a veiled eye. At 5 and 40 minutes in the afternoon, the great Pontiff took his last breath.