The record-union., 1895-06-07
POPE And PROPHET.
Remarkable Prediction in Regard to
Leo Kill.
An Interesting Story of His Election
Which May Explain His Recent
Arduous Labors.

Is Leo KILL, the strong-willed, clear
headed, successful Pope of to-day, super
stitious? 1t is said that all great leaders
Of men have had their little beliefs in
magic Or divination, and have trusted at
various times to trivial things for effects
which could have had no connection with
them.
Macbeth looked more to Dunsinane
wood than to his army, and it cost him
his crown and his life Leo XIII. has
more than once alarmed his friends and
puzzled his opponents by actions that did
not seem to be prompted by shrewd di-
plomacy. He has taken up measures
and started policies which only man
who hoped for long life ought to under
take. His supporters have always con-
tended that in his delicate state of health
he should confine his attention and labors
to matters which might get to maturity
at least before he departed. Instead of
accepting their advice, he has spread
himself on series OF policies which
would make the most vigorous ruler or
diplomat shudder to contemplate.
When his friends protested and pointed
out that his health had never been sound,
that he was endangering practical inter-
ests in taking up others which the future
could look after, that he must not expect
| to live far beyond seventy, he has secuted
their warnings and worked away at the
most venturesome enterprises as if he
had the secret of an earthly immortality.
All Rome knows and smiles at the
Pope's reason for his supposed impru
| dence. They do not smile as readily as
they used. since time is backing up his
faith in the prophecy that was made con-
corning his reign seventeen years ago.
The Pope relies on prophecy to carry
him up to certain date. DevOut Catho-
lies accept such d prediction if it be made
| by the right sort OF prophet, and will
acquit the Pope of superstition. Others
may act differently.
THE OLD PADRES PROPHECY.
When Plus NJ. was approaching his
| END there was the usual speculation as to
his probable successor. The present
Pope was then the Cardinal Pecci, Cham
berlain of the Vatican, not in favor with
the Romans or the Pope and popularity
supposed. from his fragile appearance, to
have consumption. He was noted as
student and lover of the Thomistic
philosophy. and he stood faint chance of
becoming Pope-such chance as Tom
Reed has OF becoming President.
The iavorites in the field were Cardi-
| ~
there lived in Rome an old and sanity
priest known as Padre Philippe. He
worked miracles, led a laborious life
among the poor, and was sought far and
near by the sick and the wretched for
help in all forms of human suffering.
His superior said to him one day, be-
tween jest and earnest, padre Philippe,
who will be our next Pope" With sew
eral brothers OF the community the two
were recreating i'll the convent garden.
Padre Philippe answered with prompt
ness and simplicity, although he was the
hum lest and least pretentious of men,
Cardinal Pecci will be the next Pope,
and he will reign twenty years"
There was an immediate protest from
all. "Come now, Padre Philippe, cam t
you do better than that? Who is there
that does not know how poor are the
Cardinals chances? And then he has
consumption"
II know nothing but that he will be
Pope and will reign twenty years." was
the only remark that could be got from
The priest in reply to raillery and inquiry.
lippo had prophesied in Cardinal PeccTs
favor, the diplomatic corps began to
study his chances closely.
HALF FULFILLED.
When, in 1878, Plus TX. died and Car.
dinal Pecci entered upon the active duties
Of the office Of Cham berain, he took
charge of the Vatican, made the official
and formal examination of the dead Pope
| by tapping his forehead with gold ham
Iner in the presence Of high State officials,
and then announced his decease to the
world. He practically represented the
| Papacy during the iuterregnum saw to
the arrangements for the conclave which
was to elect the next Pope, and did all
with go much spirit and confidence as to
surprise the people. who had thought of
him a.s languid consumptive.
He went into the conclave with his
| brother Cardinals. AS most people know.
each Cardinal and his Secretary have
room to themselves, and the entire body
are shut up in one section of the palace
| in such way that no one can reach them
until their deliberations are ended. Daily
they gather in large hall. where the
| ballots are cast, and the result is an
nounced by the scrutineers. Each Car
dinaI sits in chair covered by canopy,
which is movable and can be dropped
out of sight the moment the new Pope is
| elected and superior to the Cardinals is
| in the hall.
On this occasion there was much anx-
iety as to the freedom of the conclave
from outside interference. More than
one Government was interested in keep
| ing certain candidates from the throne,
and Italy would have liked to hinder the
| election altogether. However, matters
went smoothly, and in very brief time
within Ten days, in fact. Padre Philippo's
! prophecy was half fulfilled in the cleo
| lion of Cardinal Pecci to the Papal
| throne.
Outside in Rome the faithful and the
| Philistines were both watching eagerly
the news Of an election. The prophecy
| was not of so much concern as that q
| Pope should be quickly CHOSEN. A GER
tain stoyepipe plays quite part in send
! ing speedy news to the watchers in the
great square of st. Peters. In the hall OF
| voting small stove is erected for the
time. and into it are thrown the ballots
after each unsu ccessful attempt to get a
majority for one Cardinal. The smoke
| from the pipe of this stove is an indica-
ton that no election has taken place, and
as the voting hours are almost regular
the crowds know when to assemble for
early news.
They had watched this pipe for over a
week before the election took place, and
many were taken by surprise when,
| early on the morning of February 70,
| 1873, the smoke failed to issue from the
pipe, and shortly after from the loggia of
st. Peters q banner with the legend
"Pecci" announced the election and the
successful candidate.
THE POPE AND THE MAJoR-DOMO.
What took place in the voting hall was
| interesting. and even sensational. The
moment the scrutineers announced that
Pecci had been chosen, every canopy in
the room dropped except that under
which sat the new Pope. The major
domo of the Pope's household, who is al
ways preiate and will one day be Car
dinaI, then comes forward, bearing on a
cushion the white skullcap of Pope.
| The Pope-elect picks it up, puts it on his
head in place of the red cap of a Cardinal.
and politely claps his red cap on the head
OF the major-domo, a pleasant prophecy