Christopher67 - That is a very interesting comment, but I think that it is referring to Pius XII. Pius XII also died somewhat of a cruel death(hesitancy in personal matters/considered abdicating papacy/hallucinations/nightmares/blood-curdling screams/a change of habits). I hate to flash a mental illness card, but don't these sound like symptoms of it? What could be worse than being struck with a loss of mind(as a pope/head)?
From wikipedia - "Pius XII"
The last years of the pontificate of Pius XII began in late 1954 with a long illness, during which he considered abdication. Afterwards, changes in his work habit became noticeable. The Pope avoided long ceremonies, canonizations and consistories and displayed hesitancy in personnel matters. During the last years of the pontificate, Pius XII procrastinated personnel decisions within his Vatican, and found it increasingly difficult to chastise subordinates and appointees such as Riccardo Galeazzi-Lisi, who, after numerous indiscretions was excluded from Papal service for the last years, but, keeping his title, was able to enter the papal apartments to make photos of the dying Pope, which he sold to French magazines. Pius underwent cellular rejuvenation treatment, three courses, administered by Dr Paul Niehans, the most important in 1954 when Pacelli was gravely ill. Side-effects of the treatment included hallucinations, from which the Pope suffered in his last years. "These years were also plagued by horrific nightmares. Pacelli's blood-curdling screams could be heard throughout the papal apartments."
Pius XII often elevated young priests as bishops, such as Julius Döpfner (35 years) and Karol Wojtyla (later Pope John Paul II, 38 years), one of his last appointees in 1958.
From wikipedia - "Death of Pius XII"
Late in 1953, Pope Pius XII became sick. A strong hiccup developed and his Swiss doctor asked him to rest. His gastritis prohibited food-intake and the hiccup accelerated. He was ready to resign the Papacy.[10] Blood transfusions kept the Pope alive and, after months, he could resume his full duties.