The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-07
MAY SUCCEED THE POPE
CARDINAL RAMPOLLA'S CHANCES
DISCUSSED BY ROMAN PRELATE.
He Ii n Great Power in the Church,
but Cannot Rely Upon support
of other Cardinals.
Correspondence of the indianapolis Journal.


authoritatively discussed in the following
interview with a Roman prelate whose
standing in the Vatican councils is so high
that your correspondent had 10 submit TO
his condition. viz, that his name be with
held for the present. In the following rec
ord of the correspondents conversation
with the prelate, questions and answers are
given verbatim.
The Correspondent-Your Grace admitted
at former conversation in which 1 had
the honor TO engage with you that Cardinal
Rampolla is the mightiest man in the Ro-
man Church after the Pope. Is that still
your Grace's belief, and has Rampolla any
chances to achieve. what is considered the
ambition of his life, the throne of ST.
Peters?
Answer-Indeed, Rampolla is to-day the
most influential of all cardinals; he is a
dictator in his sphere of influence, Leo's
alter ego-wherever the holy father grants
him full sway. But while Leo rules men
by the inherent dignity of his manner and
office, Rampolla always appears as the
stern commander, the implacable foe of
any sort of resistance or argument. That
is one of the reasons why he is much dis
liked in the circle of cardinals; the princes
OF the church recognize in him the master
only, not the coworker. Besides they are
painfully aware that their own opinion
counts for naught whenever it runs amuck
of Rampolla's. Rampolla suppresses all
opinion contrary to his suppresses it so
thoroughly that, once expressed, it is never
heard of again.
Question-But the Pope is in constant
COmmunica tiOD with his cordipal &c bo ,,o+o
Answer-True, the holy father receives
the heads of the sacred congregations the
Inquisition, the Index the Council, the
bishops and regulars, the Consistory the
Apostolic Visitations. the Propaganda Eide
and others at stated intervals-there are
twenty-one of them-but the business of
the church is so vast that his Holiness can
see few other cardinals aside from those
at the head of the different branches of
his government. And of the few who do
succeed in gaining speech with the pontiff
none talks politics. internal or external
that is at least the impression we have in
the Vatican, though, of course nobody
can say for certain what passes between
the pontiff and a cardinal at private au-
dience. AS rule it may be assumed that
the holy father is seldom bothered with
political advice contrary to his own and
Rampolla's views, and little would be
gained, dare say, If such were extended.
In that, as in other respects Rampolla has
adopted the maxim of Prince Bismarck,
1.-The Chancellor talks politics to the SOW
ereign, the ministers report no more, no
less" Rampolla. as intimated. is supreme
in his own sphere, his council outweighs
that Of all the rest. but for that reason the
number of his enemies in the coming Con-
clave is steadily growing.
CARDINALS UNGRATEFUL.
Question-But his Eminence has made a
number of new cardinals. They ought to be
his friends and adherents. Should they
not be sufficient in number to give him a
| majority?
Answer-It is an indisputable fact that
! for many years Rampolla has made cardi-
nails with that end in view, especially the
| last persons elected Ohe speaker used the
| word "informate," the English equivalent
| of which is batch in rather contemptu-
| Gus sense), were chosen to secure the sec
rotary of state electors devoted to his in
terest. But cardinals, like other men, are
intensely human, and gratitude is not
among their shining virtues. A man who
has achieved the goal of ambitious priest
hood, the red hat, has other things to do
| than to look after the friend who helped
him into the saddle Gor selfish reasons, it
may be assumed.) The red hat and egotism
are almost synonymous terms 1 never
| knew a cardinal who did not look after his
own interest first, second and last 1t
| is habit we human beings have and no
one should be condemned for it. Therefore,
| l,oc
at least. no majority upon which he can
| count, his new cardinals notwithstanding.
Question-But thought the French and
| Spaniards were solid for Rampolla-
Answer-The Spaniards, yes; there are
| five of them. Spanish Catholics favoring
the re-establishment of temporal power,
their representatives among the princes of
| the church, are, of course, earnest and
even enthusiastic supporters of Rampolla,
who is the most outspoken advocate of pa
| pal dominion in mundane matters as well
| as in spiritual.
But the French cardinals, with one or
two exceptions, are direct enemies of Ram
polla, embittered enemies dare say. Ram
polla, as you know, backs the Pope in his
ultra-republican policy with respect to
France, and French clericals hold the Sec
! rotary of state responsible for the waning
influence of Catholicism In the affairs OF
| France. The majority of French bishops
favor any form of government save the re-
| public, and have no love for Rampolla, who
officially and ostentatiously backs the re-
public
| THE AMERICAN CARDINALS.
Question-What about the American car.
| dinals?
Answer-I have little doubt that they are
| friendly to Rampolla, who has always
treated them with distinguished considera.
ton. Then again, the American cardinal:
are no church-politicians: in the Vatican
they rank as Leo KITS heartiest cowork
ers, disinterestedly devoted to the. Holy
| Fathers cause. Seeing that the Pontiff ha.
confidence in Rampolla, they may deem
it their duty to support the secretary Of
state. Indeed, there is little doubt in my
mind that the Americans will vote fol
Rampolla If they can be persuaded to thinl
that the Holy Father approves of his candi
dacy.
Question-And the Italian cardinals?
Answer-There are many divisions amont
them for political reasons as well as fo
those already outlined. Not all Italian car
dinals advocate the downfall Of the king
dom: several are outspoken patriots A
IL