The Saint Paul globe., 1897-10-24

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,
composed of those who would not abate
one jot or little of the methods which
ruled at Rme 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 LedochowsFi, the second in
order of mention, is by birth a Pole,
and for many years a resident of Rome.
He is a man of unblemished character,
majestic yet simple, straightforward
and honest, anxious to receive light
from all quarters in the fulfilIment Of
his great charge and abundantly en-
dowed with the good sense which
recognizes that in dealing with the &C.
clesiastical affairs of a country COM
mon prudence suggests that all infor-
nation should be obtained from those
who are most competent to speak for
the country in question.
Upon these two men rests at present
q 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
! become convinced that either Rampolla
or LedOchOwski have a distinct advan-
tage. Still, it is the congregation Of
the Propaganda which will choose the
successor of Leo XIII, when death
claims him, and of this, as stated,
LedOchOWski is the head.
Rarely in the history of Rome has so
] great a 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 auspiciOuS time for such All
assemblage. The Roman Catholic
i world may rest assured that from the
existence of this fact they may wisely
| believe that the successor of Leo when
the time comes, will be chosen with
all the wisdom that an aggregation Of
men possessing rare acumen will rem
der possible. Unless the situation e&-
| perienceS a tremendous change, the
choice of the congregation of the Pro-
paganda will fall upon either one of
! the two lieutenants of the present pom
tiff whose characters have been de-
scribed.
=
year, and though his physical powers
are steadily waning, as is often the
case with men of extraordinary intel
! lect, his mental powers seem to become
! brighter as the lamp of life burns low
Rarely, indeed, does he appear in pub
| lie, and never unless it is to participate
in some extraordinary ceremonial 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 constant
Iy absorbed in devotional thought.
| The pope cannot even wear the papal
crown, so weak has he become, so that
when, following the guarda mobile and
escorted by his personal guard of
princes and mobiles, he enters the
cathedral the famous triple crown,
worth millions of dollars, and contain
! ing precious stones that are famous
everywhere, is carried before him on
a red cushion by some one Of the
nobility, who has been given permission
! to perform this service as a reward for
some good deed performed either on
behalf of humanity or in the interest
of the church itself. During the cere-
monies 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 platform carried by long poles
upon the shoulders of the stalwart
Swiss guards, SO familiar to every visi
! tor to the Vatican.
It is a most impressive sight, this
visit of the pope to st. Peters. Under
! the dome Of this most famous of all
cathedrals hundreds of thousands of
persons may assemble. It is one of the
greatest speetacles upon which human