The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-05-31
THE NEXT POPE.
A Forecast Regarding the Sue
cessor of Leo XIII.

cessor of Leo XIII.
From the London Standard.
Sig. di Cesare has prepared a revised
edition of his well-known work, al Con
clsve di Leone KILL comprising a new
second part, in which, according to an
article in the current number of Italia,
this able and well-informed writer dis
cusses very freely the delicate ques ion OF
the rrobab'e choice of the future COZ
clave.
Ifarew pope had to be elected now, il
is considered certain that he would
he an Italian. The nation which
next in order would have the
hest chance is France, whera
Cardinals Pitra and Lavigerie have con
spicuous pretensions; but French pop
would arouse the most determined opposi-
ton, not only from Italy and Germany,
but also, in present circumstances, iron
Austria and Hungary, and very likely
from the English cardinals. AS regards
the latter, the objections are purely per
sonal. Newman" it is observed, us 81
years old; Manning, who has lost OF late
some of the harsh dogmatism of the neo-
phyte, and who would be inclined to
reconcile the independence of the papal
see with the necessity for Italy of having
Rome, is 80; and Howard is very ILL.,"
None of the Spanish, Portuguese and
American cardinals will, it is considered,
be able to exercise any considerable in
fuence. Moreover, the Italian cardinals
exceed in number all those of other ma
tions in the proportion af 80 to 80, and 1t
| is expected that the next cardinal will
also be Italian. 1t is believed that the
very dissension now existing between the
| Roman Curis and the italian government
will help the election of some one OF
these, as this is guarantee that the one
chosen will not be subservient ally or a
partisan of his national government.
| Tbs question remains: Which of the
italian cardinals has the best prospects
This, we are told, will depend upon the
political situation of Europe. If no wal
takes place the Roman Curia will go Oh
feeding and folding" its hope of restor.
alton of the temporal power. If wal
comes, and the Italians are defeated, these
hopes will be strengthened and embold-
ened, and in either case the Sacred col
lege will probably choose one of lis most
uncompromising members. In these con
ditions Cardinal Monaco, "the ideal pope
of the majority of the Sacred college
would probably be chosen. Should very
severe national disasters, however, bring
the extreme wing of the Intransigeants
to the fore, Cardinal PoIocchi, who is
described as ga sort of living puzzle" and
"the leader of all that are most immoder.
ate among the followers of the Vatican,
would stand some chance. But in conse.
quence of great victory or some other
circumstances the Sacred college should
feel inclined to desist from the struggle
for the temporal power, the choice would
lie between three men, SANITY, pious,
learned and charitable" namely, Cardinal
Sanfelice, Archbishop of Naples; Cardinal
Allmonda, archbishop of Turin, and Cardi-
nal Battaglini, archbishop of Bologna
Among these the gentle, benevolent and
widely popular BattagIini stands con.
spicuous; but Notwithstanding his great
erudition, ability and virtue, 1t is admit,
ted that the archbishop of Bologna does
not enjoy the sympathies of the higher
hierarchy, who are said to dislike him or
account of his moderation and liberal
mindedness.
Such are the views of the best informed
of outsiders in Italy regarding the futur,
history of the papal power. 1t will hav,
been seen that they involve good man.
contingencies.