Vatican Assassins

208
Vatican Assassins
Indeed, the Pope knew the Jesuits well. Eight months later he was slow
poisoned with the dreaded “aquetta” as it does not at once prove fatal, but, according
to 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 procure
entrance into the Vatican, and offer to the Pope a fig in which poison was
concealed. Clement XIV was exceedingly fond of this fruit, and ate it
without hesitation. The same day the first symptoms of severe illness were
observed, and to these, rapidly succeeded violent inflammation of the
bowels. 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 slow
and 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 of
Jesuit General Ricci, fully agreed.]’ ” {19} [Emphasis added]
There is no doubt Pope Clement XIV, after lingering six long months, had
been poisoned, evidenced by his autopsy. Of this ghastly scene we see:
“ . . . on the day following the death, the 23 rd of September, the process of
embalming the body was commenced. The face then presented a leaden
colour, while the lips and nails had become quite black. Ash coloured
strips showed 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
coagulation of the blood. The body was opened in order to remove the
intestines, which was effected with considerable difficulty, while the whole
presented the appearance as if eaten up with something resembling cancer.
They were immediately placed in an especially well-closed vessel, as the
odour was most offensive, while the examination was proceeded with. Not
an hour, however, had elapsed before the vessel burst with a loud
explosion, and the gases issuing from the intestines produced so frightful a
stench that it was impossible any longer to remain in the chamber, and the
embalming process 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 rapid process, such as never occurs in ordinary cases, but alone in
those of poisoning, the face and hands having become quite black, while on
the skin appeared thick blisters filled with a noisome lymph, and when
these were cut or pressed an odour was emitted entirely similar to that
coming from the intestines, and it was, indeed, necessary to avoid coming
near the body as much as possible. But this was still not the least difficulty
in carrying out the embalmment, as the skin had become detached from
The Jesuits – 1750 - 1773