The Wichita daily eagle., 1897-11-28

Mariana Rampo,la, the present papal
secretary OF state and archbishop OF ST.
Peters. who many believe will be the
next incumbent OF the holy see Sprung
from an ancient and noble SIciiian fam
ily-in secular life he holds the rank
and title of Marquis del Tildaro-Car-
dinal Rampolla was educated at the
Capranica, the Jesuit college OF Rome:
passed thence to the college OF ecclesi-
astical mobiles, and in 1853. when he was
2S years old. was made secretary and
auditor TO the papal embassy al Mad
rid, subsequently serving as charge
d'affaires. When Cardinal Simeonl. who
while nuncio 81 Madrid. had discovered
the young mans genius for affairs. was
made secretary OF state by Plus IX.
Mgr. Rampoiia was recalled TO Rome
and promoted 20 be secretary OF the
propa aganda and director Of oriental rite
affairs. Later he was made secretary
of extraordinary ecclesiastical affairs,
where he obtained a remarkable insight
into the relations of the Vatican with
Germany.
In 1887 Mgr. Rampolia was created
cardinal, and in 1858 he became papal
undersecretary of state. a little later
succeeding Cardinal Jacobini as the
head of that department Ever since
he assumed his present Office Car
dinal Rampolla has been careful TO at
tach himself to no particular party, OF
which there are several ar the Vatican.
He has been. above everything else, the
pope's man rather than the man OF
any particular faction. his most re-
markable quality being that OF implicit
y
ally. with tact that belongs TO a by
gone age. won over the holy father. al
most without the latter's knowing il. 10
his own way OF thinking. in the eyes Of
his master as of the outer world he
has appeared 10 be obeying orders with
out attempting to give any color of his
own to the acts of Leo XIII.
The triple alliance would probably
raise no objection to the elevation OF
Cardinal Rampolla, and ii is certain
that it would welcome the choice OF
Cardinal Serafino Vannutelli. arch
bishop of Bologna and the member OF
the sacred college most openly in favor
Of a full reconciliation between the
church and the Italian government.
Cardinal Vanutelli. who is still under
80, is a man OF striking appearance and
personality. tall. stately and handsome,
with the head and face of thinker.
Those who knew him credit him with
extraordinary diplomatic skill. and II
was in diplomacy. in fact, that he first
made his reputation.
The other prelates said to be regard
ed with favor by the triple alliance are
Cardinal San Felice. archbishop of Ma
pies, and Cardinal Capecelatro. the
venerable head of the archbishopric of
Capua Cardinal San Felice. who is
greatly beloved by his countrymen. is
said to be the personal choice of King
Humbert, whose friendship and conf
dence he has enjoyed for many years
past. In fact, it was at the kings side
that, in 1884, he visited the thousands
of sufferers from the cholera outbreak
in Naples and gave many proofs OF
courage that endeared him TO the ltal-
ian people and made him the idol Of the
Neapolitans.
Cardinal Capecelatro, who is descend
ed from one of the most famous noble
families of the Two Sicilies. the Duke
of Castro Pagano. is the father con-
fessor of the queen of Italy and is gen
orally supposed to be the candidate or
that amiable sovereign He Is perhaps
the most erudite member OK the sacred
college and the author of a number OF
books. the best known of which are
THE Life of st. Catherine OF Sienna
and "Daltrina Catholica." He was born
In Marseilles. in the course OF journey
his parents were making in France. and
TO this accidental circumstance Is part
ly attributed his popularity among the
French cardinals. His claims also nnd
warm advocates among those or his
countrymen who still believe that the
pope should be Of noble birth. His par
ticular friends among the italian prel-
ates are said TO be Cardinals Guarino
and De Ruggero. The aged Cardinal
Rianchi. who was formerly nuncio In
Spain and is greatly beloved by the
Romans: Cardinal Verga. the authority
on canonicaI law. and Cardinal Svam-
ma. the archbishop Of Bologna, are also
mentioned as possible successors TO the
present pope.
The selection Of a new occupant for
the throne OF St. Peter is an imposing
and solemn process. When IL becomes
clear that the pope must die, all the
cardinals who are in Rome gather AT
the bedside and. kneeling. wait for the
end. The sacristan bishop administers
the viaticum and the extreme JUNCTION;
the grand penitentiary gives absolution;
the penitential psalms are then intoned;
the sacristan bishop pronounces the
consecrated formula; the dying pope. ~
he has the strength to do so, gives his
benedictfon 10 the assembly. and the
chanting Of hymns for the dead con-
G..~f n
go 10 make the official record of the
death. with a small silver hammer
strikes three light blows on the dead
mans head and calls him by his Chris
tfan name. When. in 1873. the dead
pope was Plus I& Giovanni Maslai-
FerrettD. the camerlingo. Cardinal Pee
ci. after striking the three blows |ith
the hammer. called Giovanni G!ovsn-
nil Giovanni" and then. turning 90 th-
assembly. said: The pope IS really
dead"
Thereupon. while the august assembly
remains kneeling. the csrrsriirEo n
tones the De Profundis. Then the mas
ter OF the chambers. removing from ths
dead pope's finger the fisherman's ing.
hands II 70 the csrDerlingo. in token of
the temporary transfer az the authority
OF the holy see. and az the first pisnaTy
meeting OF the sacred college this ring
the seal and other insignia % Office o.
the late pope are broken ID and de-
stroyed. The temporary sovereignty
has passed Into the hands of The sacred
college.
After the body of the dead pope has
been prepared for burial and nnaEss.
have been said over II n the prezenee
OF the cardinals. 81 Is removed 20 -
Peters. where for nine days u lies IN
state. Foliowing the public funeral.
which takes place On The ninth day ard
IS a pageant q solemn sni irupsiiinE
grandeur. the body is DEPOSITED IN
reoesvinz vault. where = rests untn ibe