vatican-assassins-by-eric-jon-phelps

Vatican AssassinsIndeed, the Pope knew the Jesuits well. Eight months later he was slowpoisoned with the dreaded “aquetta” as it does not at once prove fatal, but, accordingto the dose, it may be predicted beforehand at what time the victim must die.And how was the Pope poisoned?“ . . . a peasant woman was persuaded, by means of a disguise, to procureentrance into the Vatican, and offer to the Pope a fig in which poison wasconcealed. Clement XIV was exceedingly fond of this fruit, and ate itwithout hesitation. The same day the first symptoms of severe illness wereobserved, and to these, rapidly succeeded violent inflammation of thebowels. He soon became convinced that he was poisoned, and remarked:‘Alas! I knew they would poison me; but I did not expect to die in so slowand cruel a manner.’ His terrible sufferings continued for several months,when he died, ‘the poor victim,’ said Cormenin, ‘of the execrable Jesuits[to which the Bishop of Pistoia, Scipio di’ Ricci, the nephew and heir ofJesuit General Ricci, fully agreed.]’ ” {19} [Emphasis added]There is no doubt Pope Clement XIV, after lingering six long months, hadbeen poisoned, evidenced by his autopsy. Of this ghastly scene we see:“ . . . on the day following the death, the 23 rd of September, the process ofembalming the body was commenced. The face then presented a leadencolour, while the lips and nails had become quite black. Ash coloured stripsshowed themselves too, under the skin, on the arms, sides, thighs, and feet,and on other parts of the body blue spots appeared, as if from coagulationof the blood. The body was opened in order to remove the intestines, whichwas effected with considerable difficulty, while the whole presented theappearance as if eaten up with something resembling cancer. They wereimmediately placed in an especially well-closed vessel, as the odour wasmost offensive, while the examination was proceeded with. Not an hour,however, had elapsed before the vessel burst with a loud explosion, and thegases issuing from the intestines produced so frightful a stench that it wasimpossible any longer to remain in the chamber, and the embalmingprocess had to be discontinued for that day. On the following day, the 24 th ,when they came again, it was found that decomposition had made rapidprocess, such as never occurs in ordinary cases, but alone in those ofpoisoning, the face and hands having become quite black, while on the skinappeared thick blisters filled with a noisome lymph, and when these werecut or pressed an odour was emitted entirely similar to that coming from theintestines, and it was, indeed, necessary to avoid coming near the body asmuch as possible. But this was still not the least difficulty in carrying outthe embalmment, as the skin had become detached fromThe Jesuits – 1750 - 1773