The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-12
LEO'S CHOICE IS a)IT|
To Succeed Him as the Head
of the RomiSh Church.
HOW A POPE is CHOSEN
Next One Likely to be an
ItaIian--Gotti'S Career.

/ New York, Jan 1.-THE Journal says:
Pope Leo XIII. will be ninety years old
on March next He himself contem-
plates with absolute calmness the end
which cannot be long delayed. and has
even thought of his successor.
The cable announced during the past
week that when the Pope was perform
ing the ceremony of opening the Holy
Door at st. Peters Cathedral, by which
the Jubilee Year was begun. he remarked
to those around him:
II thank Divine Providence for grant
ing me the grace of being able to cele-
brate this great function and 1 wish for
my successor grandeur and a long reign
TO the greater glory of God. My sue
cessor will be young, as compared with
my own age and will have time to see
many glories of the Papacy and the
Church"
1t is further stated that His Holiness
clearly designated Cardinal Girolama Ma
ria Gotti, Project of the Congregation of
InduIgences and Sacred Relics, as his sue
cessor.
That Cardinal Gotd is a leading candi-
date for election to the Papal throne is
generally admitted, and the chief basis
for this candidature rests upon the per-
sonal preference of Pope Leo himself
Cardinal Gotd was born in Genoa, Mar.
g. 1884, and is now sixty-five years of
age. When he was only sixteen years old
this student of the Jesuit College en-
tered the Cloister of the st. Anne as a
member of the Order Of the Barefoot
Carmelites under the name of Hierony-
as student by the power of clear ex-
preston in recitation and the depth of
his learning. After graduation. he taught
not only theology, but, by his own re-
quest, became instructor in mathema tics
in the Institute for Naval Cadets at &C.
noa. Many Of his pupils now command
the vessels Of the italian Navy.
In 1870 he attended the council at the
Vatican and two years later became the
general procurator of his order While
filling this office he rendered many fine
decisions as to doubtful questions which
are still regarded as models OF logical
thought and clear expression. n the sth
of November. 1881, he became the head
of the order.
On the 22nd of March, 1892, the Pope
sent him as his special agent to Brazil.
notable mark of Papal confidence.
which was made al 1.-The more evident by
THE comforting of the cardinals hat Nov
ember 90, 1895. He was then appointed
by the Pope project of the Congregation
OF Indulgences and Sacred Relics, com
posed of thirty-one cardinals and hav-
ing much to do with settling doubtful
questions as they arise and the care OF
re les in possession of the Church. Car
dinal Gotti is also a member Of the Con-
gregation of Bishops and of the Congre-
cations of Discipline. Rights, Extraordi-
nary Church Affairs and the index.
The Order of the Carmeltes is tradi-
tionally carried back to the Prophet Ell
jah, whose notable contest with the pro-
phets of Baal on Mount Carmel is re-
corded in the Old Testiment. The first
historical accounts however, of the Car
melites go back to the twelfth century,
when they are connected with the Cru
saders and many historical events in the
East. In the sixteenth entury a division
took place in the order, and since that
time there have been two sections-the
Carmelites and the Barefoot Carmelites.
Recently the Pope appointed a committee
with Cardinal Gotti at its head to see If
it were not possible to unite these two
sections, as was done with the Francis
cans.
There is no doubt that the Pope thinks
very highly Of the abilities of Cardinal
Gotti and his confidence was justified by
the success with which the mission 70
Brazil was performed. When Gotti went
there was a great conflict between the
civil and religious authorities, the Church
was in considerable danger on account
Of the lack of discipline which prevailed
among the clergy and the episcopate.
Unlike some Of the Cardinals he re-
iects all Injuries and while he wears the
line raiments prescribed by law for those
Of his office. he sleeps on a monks bed
n acell in the Forum Of Trajan
A great question In regard to his candi-
1ature is. VIII he follow the policy Of
Pope Leo? The long struggle that has (
been going on between the Pope and the /
italian Government will .heardly cease /
A. the death Of the present Ponuf, and I
his successor must be a man ready 10 !
sope with all the difficulties sure 10 arise +!
Il is because Of these conditions that /
hose who understand the situation de- |
,lare thai it must be an Italian Cardinal I
wh1 will be announced as the n xt Pope I
BY the Conclave
The election OF a Pope IS perhaps the /
most important and interesting ceremOn- !
al that can take place in the world to- 4
lay.
The Roman Ceremonial prescribes that 4
= soon as the Pope Is dead All he Of /
icials are e leave The Palace except the I
cardinal Camerleugo. As soon as be has /
declared the Pope 10 be dead the secre- I
aries bring the ring % the Fisherman 4
md the seal Of The deceased PontH % !
him and be breaks them wifh a hammer 1
The Secretary Of the SscredC0iiegs sends I
l0ucss 10 al absent Cardinals informing +
hem OF the death % the Pope and With 4
.ut any formal summons they hasten 70 4
he election Or the morning % the eiey-
nth CAV after the Pops death the Car
finals gather IL The BasIlics q 81 Peer
nd the Cardinal Dean there celebrates 4
ne Mass of the HoIy Ghasf- After This
s finished while the Vent Greater IS be-
x sung they proceed % TIRE cO1clzvs /
n the Vatican Palace the laws coa-
erning the election are Rad % thern.zn
he Cardinals promise Under oath % oo-
erve them
once having entered the Conelave they