Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-08-08

M Leo MIL was in practically per-
feet health and there was no
probability that his brilliant reign
would be so soon cut short by the grim
reaper, the pontiff remarked in seri-
Gus conversation with Father Perosi,
the Italian priest whose musical COM
positions have made him famous the
world over. that he was convinced that
his successor would be Cardinal Sarto,
the patriarch of Venice. When the
recent conclave went into session there
seemed little probability that Leo's
prophecy would be fulfilled. for Ram
polla seemed to have an almost COM
manding lead among the members of
the college of cardinals, with Oreglia,
Gotti and Serafino Vannutelli as strong
possibilities. Besides these, there were
several others who were thought to be
likely candidates in case the rivalry
among the leaders should become so
intense as to make the election of any
one of them impossible. But Sartos
name was scarcely mentioned except
among the most reverent who remem-
bered the prediction of Pope Leo and
those who were mindful of the popu-
larity in the Catholic church of Cardi-
nal Sarto, which by many was regard
ed as being second not even to
that of Leo himself. Cardinal Sarto,
now Pope Plus X. evidently did not
seriously consider himself as one of the
papabili, for the evening before his
election he declared, in speaking to a
friend who had suggested that he
might be the next pope, that when he
started for Rome from Venice he had
bought a return ticket. But the unex-
pected has happened, and Leo's pre-
diction has been fulfilled Cardinal
Sarto is Pope Plus X, and the Roman
Catholic church is satisfied that the
progress made during the reign of
Leo XIII. is to be continued and per-
haps amplified under the administra-
ton of the present pontiff.
Pope Leo's prediction was considered
remarkable by reason of the fact that
because of Sartos position with refer
ence to a modus vivendi between the
church and the state he seemed to be
on that important point directly OPP
posed to Leo. For instance, Cardinal
Sarto publicly announced his joy when
there We're strong probabilities of a
union between church and state, and
his accession to the pontificate has long
been regarded in certain quarters 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 9th
er Catholic countries. Cardinal Sarto
is noted for his prudence, having never
meddled with politics, and for extreme
independence. He is also a patron of
the arts, and launched Father Lorenzo
Perosi, the celebrated priest composer.
The cardinal is recognized as one of
the most learned men in the church.
He is stickler for the exact truth as
between the church and the people, and
won much renown some years ago by
destroying certain relics of doubtful
authenticity. He brings to his high
office character of most attractive
modesty, unusual energy in the direc-
ton of matters large and small, the
talents of fine administrative officer
and the first qualities of an organizer.
IN addition to his abilities and his un-
doubted Christian character. the car
dinal is, from the sweetness Of his