Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-21
POPE IS DEAD.
CONTINUED from page ~

is practically Pope. 1t was he who is
sued the orders to- clear the Vatican
from intruders and Brought tranquility
out of the confusion Immediately fol-
lowing Pope L.eo's death.
His Holiness was born. at Carpinete
in the diocese of Anagnni in the Papal
states, March 2, 1910, being christened
under the name of Joachim Vincent. The
Society of Jesus, which it was after
wards the first care of his Pontifcate
to restore to it's ancient position in the
councils Of the church. was entrusted
with his education, young Pecci being
sent at the age of s years to the Jesuit
College at Viberbo, where he remained
until his 14th year. At this time his
mother died and he shortly afterwards
proceeded to Rome to continue his
studies at the Jesuit college in that
city. When he was Is years old he Sc
cured the first prize for chemistry and
physics. His aptitude for natural
science, however, in no way interferrd
with his taste for literature and classi-
cal studies, and even in those early
days he was remarkable for the ele-
gance and purity of his Latin which
subsequently found such notable ex-
PLANTATION not only in his encyclicals
and ecclesiastical work but in the
higher plane of poetry. He obtained in
1891 the degree of doctor Of divinity
and entered the Academy of Noble
Ecclesiastics to study law and diplo-
macy and thus qualify himself for join
ing what may be termed the Papal
diplomatic service and became CONVEX
SAINT with the system of the spiritual
government 1t was from the ranks
of this official body that, in these days.
q new Pontiff is almost invariably
chosen.
In 1887, Joachim Pecci received the
sub -deaconate and deaconate, and on
March IA of the same year Gregory XVI
made him q domestic prelate, his first
promotion, with the title of monsignor
On Dec 23, 1887, he was ordained
priest. 1t was as representative OF the
Vatican in the Belgian capital that ne
first gained the political insight and eX-
perience which have been one of the
principal characteristics of his tenure
Of the Pontifical throne.
Mgr. Pecci remained over three years
in Belgium and on his recall to Italy
was decorated with the grand Gordon
of the Order of Leopold.
After leaving Brussels, the nunico
paid a visit to London. This was IN
February, 1876, and in the same year
he was consecrated archbishop of Pc
rusia. He continued in this position
for the go years which interviewed be-
fore his election to the highest position
in the church. In 1850, Mgr. Pecci was
elevated to the dignity Of Cardinal
priest.
At the consistory held in 1871, Car
'tlinal Pecci was appointed camerlingo
of the Roman church, which gave nm
chief charge of the temperatures OF the
Hoiy See. In this capacity it fell to
his task to make the necessary ar
ranyements for the conclave for the
election of a new Pope after the death
of Plus TX. in February. 1878. The con-
cIaye lasted sc hours and at the third
ballot Cardinal Pecci was elected SUI
IRENE Pontiff and took the name OF
Leo NH, after the famous Pope Lee
X. for whom he had a great veneration
He was crowned, March g. with the
tiara, or triple crown.
Public opinion regarded the new Pope
ms characterized above all things by a
love of peace, and it was expected that
departing from that Non Tossumus
rolicy of his predecessors he would
speedily conclude a compromise with
the Italian government, and thus put
an end to the antagonism between the
Vatican and the Quirinal. But the
world was soon undeceived, and in his
first encylclcal, promulgated at the
Easter following his accession, Pope
Leo XIII unhesitatingly maintained
his demand for the restoration of the
temporal power of the Papacy, nor did
he ever recede from the position Their
taken up.
AT the same time the policy OF the
Roman curia certainly underwent a de-
velopment in the direction of modera-
ton. which greatly contributed to In
creasing the influence of the Vatican
abroad. The first great politica
achievement of the Pope was the set
Element of the differences with Ger
many which had given rise to the IA
nous kuturkempf.
When diplomatic relations We're re
sumed the late Emperor FREDERICK, thei
crown prince, signaized the restoratlof
of a harmonious understanding by visit
ing the Pope at the Vatican. still
greater tribute was paid by Germany t
His Holiness by her selection of him a:
arbitrator in the dispute with Spain re
Sarding the Caroline Islands ana mel
defercntial acceptance of his decision II
favor of the weaker power. Ills success
in this arbitration induced the Pope u
declare his readiness to act AS arbitrato
in other disputes for the benefit or IN
whole of Europe and of Christianity
but for this. His Holiness declared l
to be essential that he should be restore
his liberty as an Independent tempora
sovereign. This demand, however. me
with no response. ,.
The interests of the Triple Alilanc
were not compatible with those OF IN
Vatican and even Catholic Austria coui'
not afford to offend Italy by espousln'
the Popes cause. .
Perhaps the most remarkable featur
of the late Pope's policy was the chanS
in the attitude which the vatican na'
hitherto preserved in regard TO TN
French republic. Alive to the Danger o
the situation, the Pope sought to con
ciliate the republic by acknowledging |
as the established form of government
While thus engaged in political nesotia
tons with various countries requiring IN
greatest address and deXterity, the lat
Pope paid special attention to the actua
work of propagating the Cathohc laltl
and no Pontincal reign since the keior
nation has witnessed such recrudes
cence of Catholicism and SUCH an eXten
sion of the spiritual dominion of tn
o1sn liz. in, Il N IS