The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-03-09
postle Peter and to receive his sacred bene

Apostle Peter. and to receive his sacred bene-
oicti0n, The reverence shown by these crowds
js amazing. To catch glimpse of His Holt
ness, or TO hear his voice. the multitudes would
run any risk; while for the sake of kissing his
foot il is difficult 10 say what they would not
co. To these thousands the Pope is Divine
Apostle. His acts are infallible, and his word
is law.
Catholic writers tell us that the line of Popes
10 unbFoken from the time of st. Peter to the
present day. ] have Just looked the subject
up and find that the number is surprising.
The whole number as claimed is 263 Peter be-
ing the first. There have been 10 Gregorys,
J3 Leos, nine Pulses, and eight Clements, be-
sides numbers of 1nnocents, Trbans, ETC..
etc. Tie succession is historically correct back
to the third or fourth century. Beyond that
the only authority is Catholic tradition. OF
all these. nine reigned less than month, and
20 less than year, and only one more than 90
years
When, on March 3, 1878, Joachim Pecc now
known as Leo Kill. was seated on the Papsi
throne III the sistine Chapel of the Vatican
Palace, he occupied seat made memorable by
q long line of predecessors. The memory of
some Of these Ponfifs conld not do otherwise
than inspire him with reverence. On the
other hand, not few have been the victims OF
a vicious ambition seldom equaled among
occupants Of royal thrones.
4EH upon which Aney sturnDieC was Ihat
OF temporal power. Not content, like the
Christ they professed to follow, with spiritual
influence over their people, they wished TO
usarp ali Government As result. hostility
wss aroused aud many times these wearer of
the purple have been obliged to carry the cross
al the head Of their armed legions.
Ut has berD only little over 20 years since
the last possession of the Popes was taken away.
In 1871 tie troops Of the Italian Government
inn pf Rurna fer eIsa hon i.a,1
meet, and IL was made the Capital of United
ltsiy. The present Pope has never had tenn
pOral power. ONE was lost before he became
the wearer of the triple crown. 1 should
think he would be the happier for it. vet it
seems he Is not satisfied. Ii is impossible for
one man 10 rule the whole world. To rule so
large body as the Roman Church is almost a
superbaman task for one man. Yet Leo XIII.
has done 20 FOR many years. and no doubt has
greater respect TO day than al any time during
his reign.
Granted, first, that there must be Pope.
Then everybody will agree that good one is
wanted. The present holder of the Fishermau's
ring has shown himself to be an intelligent and
diplomatic man. His relations with foreign
Governments are At present all of friendly
character. SO much could not be said of his
PREDECESSOR
Diplomacy is needed in his position. He is
ruler OF diverse body of people who arc pri-
marily subservient TO their home political Gov
ernments. The Pope must be a well-informed
and manysided man. lie must adapt his
policy to antocratic monarchies as well as 10
liberal republics What works well in one will
ottentlmes fail ia the other. In this respect
the Pope's position is not an enviable one. As
sure as he attempts TO pacify one party, the
hostility OF another is aroused. As a diplomat
Leo has shown himself to be very able
Leo Nil. is not contenied. He looks upon
himself prisoner he SAYS he is not allowed
10 20 out. lie never ventures farther than St
Peters Church. which adjoins the Vatican.
Rome, he thinks. ought to belong wholly To the
Roman Church. The presence of the Italian
Government Is looked upon as an intrusion
y he Pope ofheiates very seldom Of late but
keeps himself in his apartments in seclusion.
Frequently he gives audience to noted per-
sons. and that ls about the only way in which
lie is heard Of. This year, however, is an ex-
ception. aud lac has shown himself much more
frequently.
] took pains TO investigate in how far the
Pope is subscrvient TO the Government / find
that il is extremely liberal. No restrictions
are placed on him other than on any other cti.
zen. lie is free TO go and come. and pilgrims
are iree 10 do the same. The King and Queen
are themselves devout Catholics aud. of course
would not do nythiHg disrespectfn to the head
CI he Church.
The papal Court is almost as extensive as that
CT royal sovereign. lie has his Ministers and
advisers, who form the Cabinet. There is O
Secretary Of Stale. Secretary of Foreign Affairs
and suppose there lie a Secretary OF War, for
the Pope has little army OF about hundred
rien--the Papal Guard. Then there are rcpre.
tsn;atires 10 other Governments. Likewise