The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-08
Cardinal Gotti, as the Pope's
Choice, Naturally Has Much
Strength, but Leo's Sugges-
ton Is by No Means Binding.
lie Successors to Leo XIII.
Cardinals


In the foregoing list appear the
names of the cardinals who have IN,
recent years been most prominently
mentioned in connection with the sue
cession to the papacy.
Pope Leo some time ago indicated
his preference for his successor. HIS
choice so far as he may be said to
have one, has fallen upon Cardinal Je-
rome Cor Girolamo) Maria Gotu, VINO
is a barefoot Carmelite monk. 1t does
not necessarily follow that Cardinal
Gotti will succeed Pope Leo any more
than it necessarily followed that Mar
tin Van Buren, would succeed Andrew
Jackson in the presidential chair, mere
ly because the latter designated" him.
But Pope Leos preference in Such
matter must carry great, almost pre-
ponderating, weight The majority OF
the present college or cardinals We're
chosen by Pope Leo.
Jerome Maria, Cardinal Getti, is, as
was to be expected of Leo's successor,
an Italian. He was born at Genoa on
March 20, 1884. His extremely humble
origin might have hindered his rise in
the church but for the piouS fervor
and amiabiiity of his disposition. His
father was a dock laborer in the city
of the future cardinals birth.
Gotti, in his priestly calling, attached
order of mendcant friars is not only
very rigid in some branches, but it has
peculiar attractions for those of devo-
tional tendency.
Work in Church in Brazil.
The work intrusted to Friar Gotti,
who had by this time been raised to the
episcopacy, was in connection with the
distracted state of the church in Bra
iii. The abdication of Dom Pedro, the
radical legislation with regard to re-
ligious liberty that enSued, and the I'M
disciplined condition of the native
clergy presented a serious problem to
the Vatican. Archbishop Gotti was in
stPucted to proceed to the new republic
in the capacity Of internuntius and to
restore harmony. The success attend
ing his efforts resulted in the creation
of the Genoese as a cardinal at the
consiStory held on Nov. 20, 1895.
For some years Cardinal Gotti held
the important post of project OF the
congregation of indulgences and sa-
cred relics. In this capacity he was
supreme authority, under the pope, ir
the matter of settling all doubts and
difficulties concerning indulgences anG
relics, correcting abuses relating there
to. forbidding apocryphal, false and in
discreet indulgences, examining relics
newly discovered, and the like.
Choice of Americans.
Cardinal Mariana Rampolla del Tin
daro. papal secretary of state. ant
candidate for papal succession. is sale
to be favored by American cardinals
but opposed by French pfelates. HI
was born at Polizzi. diocese of Cefalu
Aug. II, 184S. and was created and
proclaimed cardinal March IA. 1887
He is secretary of state and archprieS
OF the Basilica Vatican.
Cardinal Rampolla has been proba.
bly, closer to the holy father thar
any other member of the sacred col
lege, as his official office brought hin
in touch with the pope almost ever,
day. Then it is said that he reflects
the political views of the pontiff anC
that he is eminently qualified to sue.
coed to the throne of st. Peter. AL
though only sixty years Old he hal
held many of the most important of
fees in the Roman Catholic hierarchy
and his advancement to the high offic,
which he now occupies came in an in
credibly short space of time Cardina
Rampolla is of the Sicilian nobility
He was educated entirely in Rome. A
a comparatively early age he evi
denced that he was possessed of di
plomatic talents Of a high order. Il
1882 he was consecrated archbishop o
Heraclea and appointed nuncio at tn
court of Madrid. When in 1885 tn
quarrel between Germany and Spail
over the Caroline islands threatene,
to assume serious proportions it wa
largely through his diplomatic action
that peace was maintained. and 1t wa