The Irish standard., 1895-05-18
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FIRST PREDICTED HIS RLEcfIol.
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That Leo xiii. ,sould Tvs 81 stss s5
4 Twsnty Years. .,s s'S sSjs

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tending the sphere Of the church q In
f1nence, has been the wonder Of his
friends. He has taken up measures and
started policies which only 9 man who
hoped for a long life ought to under
take. e When his friends protested and
pointed out that his health had never
been sound, that he was endangering
practical interests 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 venture
some enterprises as if he had the secret
Of an earthly Immortality. But all
Rome knows the reason. Leo. XIII. re-
lies on a prophecy that he will reign uri-
til 1898, and thereby hangs an interest
ing story. En- s.s d.
When Plus TX. was approaching his
last days there was the usual specula-
ton as to his probable successor. The
present pope was Cardinal Pecci and
was little thought Of as the successor
Of Pho Mono. He was of a delicate, fra
gile appearance, known as a student
and not in favor with the Romans. At
that time there lived in Rome an old
and sanity priest known as Padre Phil
Hippo His superior said to him one
day between jest and earnest, Padre
Philippe, who will be our next pope?
Padre Philippe answered with prompt
ness and simplicity, although he was
the humblest and least pretentious Of
men, Cardinal Pecci will be the next
pope and he will reign twenty years, {
81 know nothing but that he will be the
pope and Will reign twenty years. was
the only remark that could be got from
the priest in reply to raillery and In
quiry on the part of his companions.
When it became known that Padre Phil
Hippo had prophesied in Cardinal Pee
CTS favor, the diplomatic corps began
to study his chances closely.
When in 1873 Plus TX. died, Cardinal
Pecci entered upon the duties Of papal
chamberlain in the illterregnum be-
tween the pope's death and the assem-
blage Of the conclave, and ably dis
charged the duties. At last the con-
clave assembled. Day by day the peo-
pie watched the smoke issue from the
Vatican chimney, telling the story Of
burning ballots and the failure to
elect pope. At last on, Feb. 20, the
smoke failed to issue from the pipe, and
shortly after from the loggia Of ST. Pc
ter's banner with the legend "Pecci"
announced the election and the success
full candidate. The first part Of the
prophecy had proved true.
OF course Leo XIII had been the first
to hear of Padre Phillippo's prophecy,
and as soon as he had the time sent for
the old priest that he might hear with
his own ears prophecy Of which half
had been fulfilled. The saii1tly priest
repeated his prophecy with q child
simplicity.
''TIow do you know that I shall reign
twenty years?" said the pope. Y.
Il know nothing but that you will
reign twenty years and accomplish
much for the world said the old man.
He never said more on the subject and
lived only a few years longer, held in
the highest honor by the pope.
Now for the second part Of the proph-
ecy. Leo XIII, made up his mind to &C
cent the prediction Of twenty. years
reign. He set his whole policy to that
key. 1t was presented TO him that a
few matters Of Importance well handled
would. be Of value to the church, while
many things lust begun In the face Of
death would be useless: His one reply
to each objection was: II shall live a
few, years more, long enough to start
this matter well..'' :.,.f5 sss. ss
In this mood he took up all the great
movements At every crisis his oppo-
nents were encouraged to hold on in the
hope, Of his speedy death. He was
neryed to refuse all compromise by the
thought that he had some years yet. 10
live. When negotiating to bring Bis
marck to Canossa, as. the saying Is, the
Chancellor made q few breaks on the
expectation Of his speedy departure.
When he adopted the cause OF the
democracy, and declared his intention
to support France, forbidding the
French bishops to say q word against
the republic. the monarchists smiled at
the thought that he would not live long
enough to make his port effective.
heir Of the count OF Paris from parading
as an Official claimant i 70 the French Ugh
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