The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-21
A SUCCESSOR TO Pope LEO
Speculation Regarding the Posi-
bilities in Case of His Death.
Choice Would BE Made From Among
the Members of the Cardinals Col
lege-RnmpoIIa and Seranno Van
uteIIi Among Those Mentioned.

the Members of the CardfnaIs' Col
iege-RnmpoIIa and Seranno Van
uteIIi Among Those Mentioned.
Frequent reports of the. serious illness
of Pope Leo XIII make II an interesting
matter OF speculation to persons of all
religious denominations as to who shall
be the next occupant OF the Pontitical
throne. There are seventy men forming
the College of Cardinals. and from among
this number one will be selected to sue
coed the present Pope as the spiritual
| ruler of millions of people. Perhaps the
two most prominent candidates will be
Cardinal Rampolla and Serafino vanu-
teili The former Is Pope Leo's Secretary
of State
he is said to be born statesman. and
his diplomatic abilities and achievements
have called forth the admiration OF many
secular politician. 1t is rumored that
his influence with the Pope has long been
greater than that of any other man, and
there are some who say that in recent
years the policy OF the Vatican has been
guided by the secretary rather than the
Pontiff.
Cardinal Rampoila belongs to an ancient
Sicilian family. He served for many
years as Papal nuncio In Spain. before
becoming Papai secretary. The fact OF
his holding the latter office is rather
against him than otherwise in his chances
of being the next Pope
CARDINAL Serafino Vanutelli was born at
Genazzano in 1884. and consecrated Bishop
of Frascati In 1887. He is now project of
the Sacred College of Bishops His brother.
Cardinal Vincenzo vanutelIi, Archbishop
of Sardis, is also Papal possibility. He
is two years younger than Serafino. and
the two have risen together through the
successive ranks of ecclesiastical promo
ton. Their influence is said to be due to
their personal qualities. which have
gained them the esteem and friendship OF
Leo XIII and made them recognized as a
power in the Church.
Cardinal Parocchi, Vicar General of
Rome, is one of the foremost members Of
the sacred college and one OF the most in
huential men in the Catholic Church He
is, as have been many of the Popes them
selves. of humble extraction. being the
son of a miller In Genoa. He lives in a
plain little apartment in one of the mar
row streets of Rome. He is sixty-seyen
years old Cardinal Svampa, Archbishop
of Bologna, is another prospective candi-
date lie is comparatively young man.
having been born in 1851. but he is never
thhei-ss universally regarded a very strong
factor in the Church. Bologna is one of the
most important provinces in Italy. and
Syampa has displayed great executive
ability in ruling IL. He is said to be a
typical Italian priest, extremely conserva-
tive. and strongly supporting the Pope's
no-surrender policy toward the reigning
house of Italy.
Said prominent authority: 1T may be
stated with tolerable certainty that the
next Pope will be an Italian. A ajority
OF the Cardinals are Italians and their
votes are hardly likely 70 go for a for
eigner. Were a Frenchffsan, German or
EngliShman elected a dangerous political
complication might be brought about
which, at the present moment. 1t is high
ly desirable to avoid The couciave will
probably be held some considerable time
after the death of His Holiness in order
that prelates from beyond the frontiers
OF Italy will be able to assist and cast
their votes. Among Italian Cardinals
other than mentioned who are likely can
dtdateS for the triple crown might be in
stanced Cardinal Capecelatro, Archbishop
OF Capua and librarian of the Vatican,
Cardinal Oregiia, who Is believed to be
the favorite candidate of the Jesuit order,
to which his two brothers belong; Car
dinal Agiardi, whom the Pope recently
summoned to Rome for conference upon
the future of the Catholic Church in the
territories wrested from Spain by this
country; and Cardinal Jacobini, who Is
known as a prelate Of moderate views and
great personal popularity.
1T is just within the verge of posi-
biiity that the next Pope vii! not be an
1nere some OF OtNSr
alities whose influence in the Church Is
such as to point them out as probable
successors to the Papacy. One of these
is Cardinal Ledochowsii. who is known
as the magnificent Pole and who holds
the important Office of Project of the
Propaganda, the body specially charged
with the interests of ecclesiastical affairs
in Protestant countries. This veteran
prelate. now about eighty years of age,
looks the ideal prince of the Church and
maintains his position with all the dig
nifty and circumstance of impressive Ger
emonial
Another of the senior members of the
college is Cardinal Richard. Archbishop
of Paris, who is eighty-one years of age.
He is a strict ecclesiastical disciplinarian.
but is universally loved and respected for
his frank and kindly nature. There has
been an English Pope in the olden time.
and while not very probable candidate
for the tiara, Cardinal Vaughan, Arch
bishop of Westminster might eonceivabiy
be a possibility. He certainly stands well
with the present Pontif and with his
brother Cardinals. Cardinal Vaughan is
sixty-eight years old. or Just in his prime
and represents. it is said. the church mill.
tant in all matters that tend for the well
fare of his flock
THE Emperor of Germany, who main
tains marked friendly and diplomatic re-
lations with the Vatican. would doubtless
be greatly pleased TO see German on
the Papal throne. and, indeed. Cardinal
Kopp. Prince Bishop of Breslau. has in
fiuence in Papal circles. the extent of
which has never been definitely deter
mined. He is a personal friend Of Kaiser
William, who on defeating the spot of
ground where tradition declares the Vir-
gin dwelt to the Catholics of Germany.
was publicly thanked by Cardinal Kopp
for his 'magnanimity and sovereign so
licitude for his Catholic subjects The
Cardinal is sixty-three years OF age and
sufficiently conservative in his views to
ensure him favor as Papal candidate.