The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-25
Tho Pope and Italy.

can court.
Tho Pope and Italy.
The attack made by an Italian mob on
some French pilgrims in the Pantheon at
Rome was at first looked upon as an insig-
nificant disturbance. but it seems likely to
acquire the importance Of an international
incident It has at all events been followed
by several meetings Of tho Sacred College,
in which has been recognized the necessity
of coming to u prompt decision on the ques-
lions whether the Pope can remain in Rome
any longer with dignity and safety. and
whether the next conclave ought not to be
held out Of Italy.
According to q statement telegraphed
from Rome and said to emanate from q
Cardinal. the aggressive demonstration in
tho Pantheon was preconcerted by the
partisans Of King HUMBERT's Government.
1t was their reioinder to the friendly over
lures lately made by LEO XIII. to the
French republic in particular. and inferen-
TALLY to republicans in general including
those Of the Italian peninsula. Itamounts to
truculent notification that unless the Pope
forthwith assents to modus rirendi prac-
tically involving recognition Of the
Savoyard dynasty's right to rule the
former Papal territory. Catholic pill
grims from the rest OF Europe will
be denied access to the person OF
his Holiness. II such a threat should be car
ried out. or IL the construction naturally
put upon the Pantheon incident lie not disa-
vowed by the Quirinal. it will undoubtedly
be acknowledged by Catholics the world
over that Rome is no longer n fit place OF
sojourn for the head OF the Church. The
supreme law OF self-preservation will out
weigh all the objections. many and patent
as these may be. to the removal Of the Holy
See from the Eternal City.
The question Of the locality in which tho
next Pope shall be elected is, OF course, sub
ordinate to the choice OF new place Of res
idence by the present Pontiff. Wherever
LEO XIII. shall determine to take up his
abode there he will appoint Camerlengo.
under whose superintendent the next con-
clave will be held. But where is tho Pope
to go? There would he no indecision posi-
BILE il the Papacy still retained Avignon.
but. even II tho reconciliation OF the
French democracy to Catholicism had
gone much further than it has. tho
third republic would scarcely venture
to give back to the Pope city
which tho first republic seized. From the
viewpoint Of foreign politics and of the in
fluence which France might obtain over
Catholic Christendom. including no small
fraction Of Germany ITSELF the Government
Of NJ. DE FREYc1NET might desire to offer
LEO XIII. an asylum in French territory.
The French Premier is we'll aware that at
least half Of the Italian electors are jealous
adherents OF the Papacy. and that the in
voluntary departure OF the Holy Father
from Rome would convert them into i'm
placable enemies OF the house OF Savoy. He
knows also that FRANCIS JOSEPH may
at any hour DO succeeded by ia
natical Catholic whose hatred OF tho
HoHENZoLLERNs Is violent and undisguiscd.
At such juncture it would be OF the ut
most Importance to France to be known as
the host and protector CT the hcad OF tho
Church. Unluckily the time Is not yet ripe
for such q stroke Of statecraft. The anti
clerical attitude of the French proleturiat is
Still unmodihed. and there Is u large and
rampant body OF advanced radicals in tho
Chamber Of Deputies who would never ac-
quiescc in the presence OF the Pope upon
French soil.
That LEO XIII. should seek refuge in
Austria or Germany also seems out Of the
question. He had right to expect that
FRANCIS JOSEPH, as the head of house
which has for centuries been tho champion
OF Catholicism. would bring to bear such
pressure on his ally, tho King OF Italy, az
would insure respectful treatment to the
inmate OF tho Vatican. Such expectations
have not been realized. The Vienna Gov
eminent has shown itself much less OBJ
servant OF It's duties to tho head OF the
Catholic religion than OF its obligations to
it's associates In tho triple alliance. 1t
has looked on with Indifference or with
only hollow pretence OF sympathy, while
the situation Of the Pope has been chang
ing for the worse. until at last even his Wis
itors are subjected to physical maltreat-
ment. While such has been tho attitude Of
the Catholic FRANCIS JOSEPH. 1t was not
OF course to be supposed that the Protestant
WILLIAM II. would show himself an ardent
defender Of the rights OF the Papacy against
the entertainments OF the Quirinal. There
has. in fine. been nothing In the recent
course OF the Austrian or German sover-
shelter In their dominions.
We soc. therefore. that the selection OF q
place Of soiourn for the Papacy is beset
with difficulties. Malta has been suggested.
but Malta belongs to England. and with
what propriety could tho head OF the Catho-
lie Church take up his quarters In partitus
injidelium2 It 10 reported that the Holy
Father would DO willing to 60 to Spain. but
the Government OF the Regent CHRIsTnxA