Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-07-20

ergetic reforms and practical admins
tration won him much favor.
The Umbrians begged that he might
be appointed governor bishop Of Per-
ugia. and. although this was no pro-
motion, Pecci accepted It, feeling
that he there found an opportunity for
good work and expecting, as he had q
right. recognition Of his brilliant ser
vices.
Pope Gregory has his name fret on
the list for cardinals. but before his
kindly intention could be executed he
died and Plus w, who had little ad-
miration for Pecci, took the papal
chair.
Thirty Years Forgotten.
So for thirty years Pecci was left
with his bishopric. True. he was in
course Of time created cardinal, but
he was not summoned to the papal
conferences. He devoted himself to
the interests Of Perugia. When, in the
revolution Of 1s4S, the pope fed from
Rome. Pecci remained at his post, and,
though shorn Of his temporal power,
continued to exercise his function as
bishop.
When Cardinal Antonelli. the pre-
mier of Plus Ixy died, Pecci was
summoned to Rome and made minister
Of finance. In 1878 he knelt at The
bedside Of the dying pope. Ten days
later, on February 21, the conclave
assembled which was TO elect sue
cessor to the dead pontiif. Such oc-
caslons are Of peculiar solemnity.
Each cardinal is escorted to his cell
and required to fast In solitude all
night. In the morning the conclave
meets. The camerlingo, accompanied
by the senior cardinal OF each order
bishop, priest and deacon, proceeds Ia
the entrance of the conclave. All en-
frances save one are walled up. To
that the marshal holds the keys The
ballots showed forty-four out Of six
ty-two in favor Of the minister OF n.
nance--the late faithful bishop Of
Perugia.
The moment the result ofthe election
was certain Cardinal Franci, the de
fc-.ed ecmratitor. ~ once threw him
self on his knees before the Gamer,
lingo, proclaiming him pope, and ash
Ing his blessing. His example waf
followed by the whole college and
Cardinal Pecci was thus. practically
speaking, elected by acclamation
HI election was considered q distinct
triumph for the moderate party ol
the church. He chose the appellatior
of Leo Kill, and without delay as
sumed all the obligations Of his Of
fice, bringing to his task practica
acquaintance with political economy
modern times and tendencies. and the
conspicuous struggles Of the age.
March 3, 1878. the coronation tool
place at the Sistine chapel. The new
pope was thoroughly conversant will
the grave situation with which he al
head Of the church had to deal. III
had watched for thirty years past thu
formative influences which afterwart
led to the revolution Of the Italiar
Estates and the cropping OF th'
church's power. He knew better per
haps than did his predecessor tina
the union was to come. and when thu
great mantle OF the Innocents ant
Borgias and Gregorys fell upon hii
frail shoulders he took up the tasl
with n stout heart and a remarkable
insight into the feeling which was be
hind the new Italy.
He knew. too, that though shorn o
his temporal power and virtually {
prisoner within the walls Of the vatl
can, he was still the head Of church
numbering more than 250,000.0O'
souls in and out Of Italy, and that thu
heart Of every true Catholic beat a
loyalty for Rome as in the days Of thu
church's greatest power.