The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-03

How It Is Possible that an American Cardi-
mai May Be Chosen.

mai May Be Chosen.
Baltimore Special.
An eminent dignitary of the church was asked
to-day: rs there possibility that Cardinal
Gibbons will be elected Pope upon the death of
the present Pontiff"
"The College CT Cardinals" he said. lis the
seed and germ of papacy, and the greatest act
that one of its members can perform is to take
part IN q papal election. 1t l., Of course,
impossible to foresee the result of
present time. but some surmises may be
hazarded, which may may not turn out true.
The extreme age of the present Pope and his
great labors make It extremely probable that he
will never see another decade of years, and the
question suggests itself. Who will be his success
sor? For years an Italian has always been
elected, owing to the temporal power of the pa
pacy, but now that the Popes have been deprived
of their patrimony there is no reason why this
custom should be followed.
'Of the cardinals created by Plus TX, many
are so advanced in years that their chances of
election are well nigh hopeless. The same holds
good even OF several among the creations of Leo
XIII. and it would seem that of the italian car
dinals, the selection would be from among
the following cardinals Monaco, La Valetto,
Oreglia, Martinelli, Parocchi. Jacobini Agostini,
San Felice, Zigliara, Reci. Paracciani.
Verga and Mazella. OF these. Jacobini is, I'M
doubtedly the most influential at present, but
Agostini San Felice and Mazela would adorn
the chair of st. Peter very acceptably Cardinal
Czacki, though Pole by birth, is allied to one
of the noblest italian families. and possesses, in
q stronger degree than any member of the col
lege, those governing powers and that acute
foresight which have made many popes true
leaders of the church. Unfortunately his health
is very poor, and this serves to keep him much
less occupied with the external world than he
would otherwise be.
Suppose, however. that the choice should be
not from among the Italians as seems probable,
but from the foreign cardinals, on whom would
the choice fal9 Cardinals Howard. Benavides.
Hergenroether, Ledochowski and Czacki would
immediately come to the minds of all. In reply
to your question 81 to Cardinal Gibbonss chances,
should say that it would seem to suggest neg
alive answer. account of the immense dis
lance of Baltimore from Rome, and yet, so
strangely have Papal elections turned out, that
we cannot help fancying the announcement
from the lips of the first cardinal dea-
con: givo you things of great joy. We have
as Pope the most eminent and reverend Lord
James. Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church, Glib
bons, Archbishop of Baltimore, America" II
is, of course, must repeat not probable, but it
is possible. And an American would be far
more acceptable to the Italians than any other
foreigner. though Cardinal Howard is loved and
revered like native of the warm Italian cline,
instead of cold England. Those who have watched
the rapid Progress of our eminent Archbishop
cannot help seeing that there is but one more
crown garland his brow with fitting reward
for life of gentle zeal and unwearied devotion
to his church. TO his people, and to his country