The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-01-27
WHO WILL BE The NEXT POPE?
IS NOW BEING WIDELY ASKED
Americans and English Are Believed TO Havs
No Chance.
Talk WITH CARDINAL RAMPOLLA
The Astute diplomat Gfues Some Interesting
Gossip About The Successoro Of
Leo XIII.
Bv ANTONIO FABRIANO.

I therefore asked Cardinal Rampoila
whether there might not be such a dis
agreement in the next Conclave, which
might, by chance, make the Italian Car
dinals, or some OF them, vote for a for
eigner. such thing viii never hap
pen,' he said, at least not in our time,
and there are several reasons for being
sure of it. I'M the first place you know
very we'll that the differences existing
between the Italian Government and the
Holy See would become even more COM
picated by the election of a foreigner to
the Pontiiicial Throne.
The Church Claims the right Of soyer-
eighty over Rome and the Papal States,
and all the cardinals know that if a. for
eisn subject were elected Pope. we could
not very well sustain this claim, because
we could not compel the Italian Govern
ment TO receive as ruler over part Of
Italy q man not even born in the coun-
try he was called ucon to rule Apart from
this, although tie number of Italian vot-
es in the next conciave will not be enough
to command for our country Il tWo-thirds
majority, which is necessary for the valid
election of a Pope, you can easily see
that the scattering OF the Italian votes
could not possibly give a majority to
g: foreign cardinal. The foreign portion
of the conclave could no. be relied upon
to vote with the Italian members of that
body Suppore. for instance, that some
of the scattering votes should concentrate.
let US say upon German candidate. do
YOU think it possible that the French car
dnals and their faction would vote for
him? Or if a Frenchman We're to be voted
for by some of the Italians, do YOU think
that any OF the Germans would support
him?
Add to this the well-known jealousy Of
the different European governments, some
10 cti1 IA Of votinp
any objectional nomination. through their
representatives in the conclave. and you
will realize that they may also contri-
butte. indirectly, to the election of another
Italian Pope.
AMERICANS WONT DO.
The English and American members of
the Sacred College are not likely to be in
fuenced by these considerations. and L
called the attention OF Cardinal RampOlla
to that fact ITO tell you what sincere
ly believe" said he, there is not the least
chance even for them getting any votes.
None of them has lived long enough in
Rome or even in Italy, to know much
about the intricacies OF. Canon law or Of
the rules governing the Roman congrega-
lions. They would not therefore. be de-
sirable candidates. What will influence
the vote of the conclave more tran any
other considera ton will be the necessity
of electing a. man who VIII know how TO
run a Church without endangering its
traditions by periious innovations. An
American, or even an Englishman, would
be very much feared by the other men,
bers of the conciave as being likely to
introduce Anglo-American ideas and Gus
toms into the management or the Church.
We Italians are very conservative, and
we will remain in the old and beaten track
as long as possible
I venrured to- ask the Cardinal whether
,he thought any one OF the members Of
the Sacred College had more probnittes
in his favor than any other...T will not
mention any name," he answered, but I
will willingly tell you something OF the
general principles which direct the car
d1nals In the selection of Pope. The most
important rule, one which was laid down
at the last conclave, Is that the new