The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-21
The New Pope.

On the second day after entering upon its
work the Conclave In tho Vatican has given
" the Catholic world a new Pope. VINO, there
y every reason to believe, combines in him
self all the qualities that are required for
the position ut this period of the Churchs
history. To the place Of the high
cat importance and the greatest pow
or among the sons Of men, Cardinal
PEocI has assembled as LEo XIII. But yoe-
terday an unobtrusive and austcrc member
OF the Sacred College, to-day he stands in
the Vatican as the Vicar of CHRIST, the sue
ccseor Of ST. PETER, the visible head OF the
Catholic Church-wcariug the crown OF Cath
olioity, welding the sceptre OF nfallihility,
and carrying in his girdle the keys OF the
Kingdom OF Heaven.
The new Pope is worthy to take the place
Of Plus TX. Those who best know his mind,
his life his talents, and his powers, and who
are best capable of Judging his fitness to
fill the pontiiical throne, have 40 decided.
All accounts agree in prasng him. He ia
described as man who in many respects
resembles the late Popc-full Of piety and
zeal, OF elevated mind, O! great dignity,
eociable, vivacious, and witty. OF his learn
ing, his familiarity with ecclesiastical affairs,
his comprehension Of the relations OF the
Church to the Governments OF Europe, and
OF the policy to be pursued by the Vatican
there IL, OF course, abundant assurance in
the fact Of his election He has been in the
Cardnalate for n quarter Of century,
md he has all the experience acquired
In that position. He has had other public
experiences. having been Nuncio at Brus-
e.lo and hu xiuu n unnthpr tinp y Dnpul
delegate, been active in supprcssng brig
nndage in several parts Of the States OF the
Church. He is spoken Of as practical
and polite man. with great knowledge
of men and great skill in dealing with them.
In short, in whatever way he is regarded.
the Catholic world will feel assured that
JOACHIM PEcCI is qualified to sustain the
grandeur Of the Popcdom and the authority
of the Church. More beloved than the last
Pope he cannot be.
Politically. the new Pope belongs 20 what
ia called the moderate branch Of the Car
dinals- though il Is not easy to tell what
this means or implies under present circum-
stances H. las been spoken II sine, tAo
death Of pIUs TX ~ one OF the two
candidates upon whom the moderate
party rested their hopes OF peace IN tn,
adjustment Of the relations between IN,
Vatican and the Italian Government and
the other Governments If Europe. But ",
can soc no ground for bclie,i il; that he
will turn his back ON the policy OF his
predecessor, or enter into any com
promise respecting the authoritative
claims II the chair OF St. Peter Whether
or not he has any hope of the restoration ol
the temporal kingdom Of the Church ii
Rome, he will not surrender an iota Of lts
ancient power.
The quickncss with which the election OF
the Pope followed the assemblage Of the
Concave puts an end 10 the accounts that
have been published Of party antagOnisms
and divisions among its members. liz
was elected upon the morning Of tn,
second day Of the Conclave, and by til,
tdird ballot, which gave him the requislt,
majority OF two-thirds. This gives salts
factory evidence that the great body Of thu
CuIclavc regarded him, from the first, a!
the man designated by Heaven to I'LL tn,
position to which he has been chosen, an,
in which he will hencelorth be known u
LEO NIL