The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-07-22
CONCLAvE OF CARDINALS.
1t VIII Begin Sitting About August l.
Obscure Man May Be Chosen Pope.

ROME July 21.-According to state
ment coming from high ecclesiastic ar
engagements at the Vatican are being
pressed forward which will enable the con-
clave of cardinals to begin sitting Aug. 1.
However, 1t is now. thought the sessions
may last considerably longer than at first
expected-even long enough to permit Car
dinal,. Mora, of Sidney, n. s. W., to arrive
in time to take part in the proceedings.
An Ambassador accredited to the Vatican
says the question of Pope Leo's successor
is a peculiarly open one at the present
moment. The personality of the candidates
plays a much more important part than in
any preceding conclave, since the con-
ditions prevailing in the past are now en-
tirely changef. Formerly the Sacred Col
lege was divided into two distinct parties.
There was, first, that composed of the car
dinals who were members of the great
Roman families, nearly everyone of which
was represented in the college. These al
ways exerted very powerful influence in the
election of a Pope. At the present time
there is only one scion of a great Roman
house among the cardinals, namely Cardinal
Battista CaSsili del Drago, who, from the
standpoint OF the election of new Pontiff,
is relatively unimportant. Then there were
parties composed of cardinals appointed by
the same Pope. who usually ranged them
selves into separate bodies. In addition
to the members of the Sacred College APP
pointed by the Pope who has just passed
away were usually considerable numbers
chosen by his predecessor and even num-
Der named by the Pope preceding him. In
consequence of Leo Kills long reign these
parties have entirely disappeared.
In the present conclave there will be only
one cardinal Cardinal Oreglia, who was
not appointed by Pope Leo. AS a result of
these changes the approaching conclave
will be much more under the influence of
individual candidates than in the past,
rendering it Impossible to forecast the
election with any degree Of certainty. 1t
is consider ed highly probable that the new
Pope will be a man at present not thought
of and not talked about.
The Tribune to-day published an intel
view with Cardinal Svampa, archbishop of
Bologna, who the paper says has quite
recovered from his stroke of paralysis.
The cardinal is quoted saying: Il be-
lieye that the conclave will be very short,
as were the last two. At the utmost think
not ii Exist in the Sacred College the marked
political differences Of other times. There
FORE it will be possible TO arrive at an UNI
derstanding more easily and quicker;
The interviewer asked the cardinal what
he thought the policy of the future Pope
would be in regard y the so-called Roman
question. will it remain rigidly un-
changed, or will the new Pope inaugurate
a modus vivendi, which many persons in
both camps wish for?' Cardinal Svampa
replied: mo one to-day can say with GER
tainty anything about Ii. But it must not
ne forgotten that whoever is elected will
bring something personal into the attitude
of the Holy See regarding that question,
something which more or less must differ
entiate from the attitude of the former
pope. Besides every historical fact of
great importance brings with IL changes
which ameliorate or aggravate pre-
new day throws fresh light on men and
things