The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-02-14
DEATH OF THE POPE.
GUARD TIE CHURCH I LOVED so WELL,
AND sACREDLY.''

GUARD TIE CHURCH l. LOVED so WELL,
AND sACREDLY."
Last Thursday evening, Pope Plus IN, the
great head OF the Catholic Church died at
Rome, in his seth year. AS our readers know
the final dissolution was not unexpected. rs
his Holmes has been in delicate health for
some time. On Wednesday evening at eight
O'Clock he felt sudden suffocation. He raj
lied several times, but said to his physicians
death wins this time. He was alternate
ly lucid and wandering. His last moments
were lucid. He said Guard the Church |
loved so well and sacredly." The immediate
cause of his death was the closing of the
wound in the leg, which made humors mount
into the lungs and brain. Cardinals Man
ming and Howard and many others were
present at the death. nv '7''''s'.ssss'
No man has ever lived so much admired.
and beloved as Plus lX: admired by those
outside OF the church, who recognized in his
pure spOtless life, magnificent abilities and
grand attributes OF character, something al
most super human, and beloved beyond meas
IRE by those to whom he was the embodi-
ment OF heavenly holiness. His name was
Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti. and he was
born in Sinigaglia. May 18th. 1892. The pre-
decessor of Plus IN was Gregory XVI, who
died June 1st, 1876 On the death OF Pope
Gregory WI, the conclave chose him Pope,
June 10. 1S4G, after session of As hours.
and on the next day he was proclaimed un-
der the title Of Plus IN. The election of
man of such known liberal sentiments was
hailed with universal reclamation. On July
10th he published a.general amnesty to po-
ltical offenders. Though his health in youth
was delicate, besides tendency to epilepsy,
l,o TO ho Il
Chair of Pope longer than any other pontiff.
At his death he was il the 50th year of his
episcopate, and in the 32nd year of his pom
tiiicate. ~ 6as
The proceedings OF the Concave, which
will be held doubtless in the Vatican, and
proceed to the election OF a new Pope as
soon as the Pontical obsequies are conclul-
ed, will be watched with profound interest.
The Sacred College is not nearer Il unitas
to the policy TO be pursued ic the relations
OF the Church co the State than it was in 49,
46. when the Cardinal Bishop of Imola was
elevated to the Pontifical throne. There are
Conservatives and Liberals now as then,
Progressionists and Reactonists as at that
time. What will be the result of the ballot
ing in the Conclavc no one can conjecturer
doubtless the Cardinals themselves would
not venture an opinion. That he will be an
Italian there need be no doubt. The policy
of the Church in that respect Will not be de-
parted from. There is an Italian proverb
that 'lIe who goes into the Conclave Pope
comes out CARDINAL 1t was so in 1916.
OF all the candidates at that time, it seemed
least probable the choice would fall upon
the good Bishop of Imola. Yet he was
elected. OF the names most frequently
mentioned during the past year as likely to
be the successor of Plus TX. that OF Cardi-
nal Riario Sforzo, Archbishop OF Naples. per-
haps ranks first. lie is reputed capable
man, familiar with administration. and pos
sesscd of a shewd worldly sense.