The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-24
POPE LEO FACES DEATH
CATHOLICS STIRRED OVER CONsID-
GRAFTON OF HIS SUCCESSOR.
Belief that Cardinal RampoIIa May BE
the MRR-HOw Leo Exists, De-
spite His Exceeding FraiIty.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

ROME, Oct. 1.-THE reaper Death stands
with appraised sickle at the side of Leo
XIII. sublime pontiff, Pope of Rome. This
is the nineteenth year of the reign OF this
frail yet brilliant man, whose marvellous
intellectual powers have enabled him, dur
ing his entire incumbency of the papal
throne to fulfill the multifarious duties of
his kingly office while in a state of health
which to most persons would have been
condition of almost chronic invalidism.
One hears the story of coming dissolution
talked upon Romes streets. discussed in
the homes of the people. and even whis-
pered in the Vatican itself. where, in one
OF the plainest of the II. Zoo rooms of the
great palace, sits the childish form of the
Pope, carefully guarded at all times by Pho
Contra. the man who served Leo well when
he was known to the world as Cardinal
Pecci. Every day the Pope is a little
weaker; only a very little, to be sure, but
sufficient to make it a fact that when each
sunset is over it is known that his vitality
is not so great as when the orb of day
rose.
Everywhere the health of the Pope is a
matter Of exceeding interest, but one must
be here in the shadow of St. Peters to
fully appreciate what the news of his death
would really signify. 1t means an entire
change for men who have for nearly twen-
ty years been welded to a given policy to
an established course. which, no matter
how well it has served the church, must,
with the advent of new head thereof, be
changed in various particulars, to adapt
itself in some measure to the views OF the
now occupant of what was once the most
powerful throne the world knew
1t has been the case for centuries that
the occupant of the papal throne has been
an italian. Heretofore 1t has rarely been
thought Of and never seriously suggested,
that a man of any other nationality should
really aspire or be so bold as to even de-
sire the great office This time it is diff
ferent. We hear two names, names which
every Roman Catholic knows-those of
Rampolla and Ledochowsl1i. The first Ia
that of the papal secretary of state and the
second the name of the head of the Con-
gregation OF the Propaganda. Mariana
Rampolla is one of the most able men in
the history of the Romish Church. He is
in his fftieth year, tall, broad-shouldered.
erect and vigorous. His present position
is due solely to his ability, learning and
wisdom To his influence more than all
else is due the present rather democratic
course pursued at the Vatican, and this
fact has brought down upon his head what
is known as the Reactionary party, COM
posed of those who would not abate one
jot or title Of the methods which ruled at
Rome centuries ago. Like all men of great
mental strength, he has many enemies, but
those who have the advancement of the
church closest at heart seem to favor him
above all others. Cardinal Ledochowski.
the second in order of mention, is by birth
Pole, and for many years a resident Of
L. 20 Iaal for
acter, majestic yet simple. straightforward
and honest, anxious to receive light from
all quarters in the fulfillment of his great
charge and abundantly endowed with the
good sense which recognizes that in deal
ing with the ecclesiastical affairs of a coun-
try common prudence suggests that all in
formation should be obtained from those
who are most competent to speak for the
country in question. Upon these two men
rests at present a beam Of the light that
falls from the throne of kings, but, like the
bee which fits from flower to flower with
out settling, the ray varies so greatly in
it's resting place that one can never be-
come convinced that either Rampolla or
Ledochowski has distinct advantage.
Still, it is the Congregation of the Prop
uganda which will choose the successor OF
Leo XIII when death claims him, and OF
this, as stated. Ledochowski is the head
DISTINGUISHED CHURCHMEN.
Rarely in the history of Rome has so
great proportion of the men who have
made the present century history of the
Romish Church been assembled in the
Eternal City. Rarely has there been more
suspicious time for such an assemblage.
The Roman Catholic world may rest as
suerd that from the existence of this fact
I1axr rrxyiSa w baf "a
of Leo, when the time comes, will be cho-
sen with all the wisdom that an aggrega-
ton of men possessing rare acumen will
render possible. Unless the situation ex-
periences a tremendous change, the choice
of the Congregation OF the Propaganda will
fall upon either one of the two lieutenants
of the present pontiff whose characters
have been described.
Leo XIII is now in his eighty-ninth year,
and though his physical powers are steadily
waning, as is often the case with men of
extraordinary intellect, his mental powers(
seem to become brighter as the lamp OF
life burns low. Rarely. indeed, does he APP
pear in public, and never unless 1t is to
participate in some extraordinary ceremo-
NAL at st. Peters. the pontifical cathedral.
IN the years that have gone forever he used
to take part in the service but now, or
rather at the last ceremonial he attended,
he keeps utter silence, and, with bowed
head, seems to be constantly absorbed in
devotional thought. The Pope cannot even
wear the papal crown, so weak has he be-
come, so that, when following the Guarda
Mobile and escorted by his personal guard
OF princes and mobiles, he enters the cathe-
dral, the famous triple crown worth mill
lions of dollars, and containing precious
stones that are famous everywhere, is car
ried before him on a red cushion by some
one of the nobility. who has been given
permission to perform this service as re-
ward for some good deed performed either
on behalf of humanity or in the interest OF
the church itself. During the ceremonies
Of later years the pontiff has walked with
exceeding difficulty. and has seemed greatly
relieved when he gained his seat upon the
pontifical throne of scarlet and gold, which
stands upon a platform carried by long
poles upon the shoulders OF the stalwart
Swiss guards. so familiar TO every visitor
to the Vatican. Ii - a most impressive
sight, this visit of the Polse - s.. Peters
Under the dome of this most famous of all
cathedrals hundreds OF thousands of per-
sons may assemble. 1t is one of the great
est spectacles upon which human eyes may
rest to view the throng within the cathe-
dral as the pontifical procession bursts into
view. low hum of greeting is heard as