The Washington bee., 1902-05-31
POPE LEO'S CHOICE.
His HOLINESS Favors Cardinal Sarto
for the Papacy.
Man of Great Talent and Extreme
MOdesty Who FaVOFs Peace Be-
tween the Church and the
Italian Government,

selected TO succeed to the pOntifi-
cate whose accession to the papal
throne would be more potent in it's
significance than that of Cardinal
Giuseppe SartO, at this moment the
patriarch of Venice. The venerable
Leo, surely nearing the end of his
wonderful reign fondly hopes that
Cardinal SartO will step into his
shoes, and no prelate, not even the
holy father himself, is more beloved
in the Catholic faith than Sarto.
The position taken by the pope
with reference to a modus vivendi be-
tween the church and the temporal
throne of Italy and that assumed by
Cardinal Sarto, makes the choice of
Sarto, voiced by Pope Leo, seem an
apparent anomaly says the New
York World.
Cardinal Sarto publicly announced
his joy when there were strong prob
abilities of a union between church
and state, and his accession to the
pOntiticate is regarded in some quar-
ters as the solution of the Roman
problem so long unsOlved and so long
a cause of dissension over all Italy,
to say nothing of its bearing upon
the attitude of other Catholic coun-
tries. Cardinal SartO is noted for his
prudence, having D"yer meddled with
politics, and for extreme independ-
ence. He is also patron of the arts,
and launched Father Lorenzo Perosi,
the celebrated priest composer.
The cardinal is recognized as one
of the most learned men of the
church. He is a stickler for the ex-
act truth as between the church and
the people, and won much renown
some years ago by destroying Ger
tain relics of doubtful authenticity.
He would, it is pointed out, bring to
his high Office a character of most at
tractiye mOdesty, unusual energy in
the direction of matters large and
small, the talents of fine admins
Urauve oincer and the first qualities
of an organizer. In addition to his
abilities and his undOubted Christian
character the cardinal is, from the
sweetness of his nature, beloved by
many millions of people. 1t is GER
tain that no prelate would have a
more enthusiastic sanction from the
laity.
In speaking to Father Perosi re-
Gently, the pope said: Hold him
very dear PerOsi, as in the future he
will be able TO do much for you. We
firmly believe he will be our success
EOr."
Cardinal Sarto is 81 years old. He
was born at Riese, in the province Of
Venice and was educated in the Sale
sian institute at Cottolenga. founded
by the famous Dom BoscO. He was
always of serious turn of mind and
when a young man his rector said to
him that he had never been a child"
Cardinal Sarto was not 'discOV-
cred" until he had reached middle
age. He was a parish priest in the
province of Venice for the most OF
his years and finally became a bish-
Op. His high executive qualities and
unexcelled learning became known
soon after his elevation and were
recognized by the authorities of the
church. 1t was not until 1898 that he
was created a cardinal, at which time
he was also named as patriarch OF
Venice. Thus the modest but able
parish priest became the head of the
province in which he had served so
many years in a lOwly position. His
selection was made by the cOnsistory
of 1898 which was compelled To sue
the throne for the privilege of in
stalling him as patriarch OF Venice.
In return for the concession, which
was made through Premier CrisPi.
the church appointed an ecclesiastic-
al vicar apostolic in northeastern
Africa TO assist the premier in his
net scheme of extending the African
colonies.
Cardinal Sarto had not been in Of
flee more than a year before he pub
Iicly declared for union between
church and state speaking in no un-
certain way. His utterances created
A great sensation, and it was felt
that he might have offended the holy
see by the fervor of his words. APP
narentIy he received the silent APP
nrobation of the pope. in whose es-
Tin he has ever held a firm place.