The sun., 1903-09-27
One MONTH OF POPE Plus x.
THE NEW POPE rs GOODNESS
ITSELF, ROME SAYS NOW.
SLOW 10 Act. hut Tenacious ef Purpose-lals
Action Toward Cologne Congress and
Italian Associations Follows Leo Mills

Italian Associations Follows Leo NILS
ROME. Sept. 12-The first month Of
r.us KS pontifcate is ended. 1t may be
said that il has not been fruitless for the
Church, although in his humility the Pope
keeps declaring every moment that he is
doing nothing l shall not speak Of the
thousand daily incidents which have con-
frned the reputation of goodness which
a. once illumined the majestic and attrac-
tive figure Of the sovereign Pontif. II
L. not merely on account OF what is known
about his past, it is because Of the proofs
ne gives every day that every one in the
Vatican repeats: THE Pope is goodness
ITSELF
On this subject Of 'the goodness of Plus
Z" the reckless fancy Of the news mongers
now runs wild. There is a touching story
told Of Plus X. meeting little workman
In the Vatican printing Office. The only
fault the story has is that it is not true;
but at least stories of this sort are harmless
and perhaps even edifying
Yet We should not allow ourselves to he
carried away by this single aspect OF the
Pope's character. After hearing the rep
eiticn OF .The Pope Is good" more than
one reader may perhaps ask: is he no. too
good?'
A Pope, a father" il never too good.
But there is no reason to fear. 1t is not
only through the incidents Of the recent
Conclave, now known generally. that Provi-
dence has manifestly pointed out its chosen
one. The manifestation becomes clearer
daily thanks to the detailed informal ion
and the invest igations made On the spot
at Padua, at Treviso, at Venice, at Mantua,
which reveal to the world what Giuseppe
Sarto was before the pontifcate." A
Venetian summed it all up in two phrases:
He was the first, whoever he was" and
she does slowly all that he wishes. Plus X.
has not merely heart, he has a clear and
keen intelligence; he has above all will
equipped with perfect self-possesson and
with indomitable tenacity whenever his
decision has been made after prudent con-
siGeration.
From the point of view of Church govern
met it is his prudence, his wise delay which
SO far has especially impressed those about
him. Notwithstanding countless audiences
the Pope has everything reported to him,
he observes, watches persons and things
and examines the records of the candidates
o fees. In short. he takes his time and is
,arning the serious duties OF the Papacy.
Neverth eless Providence has put him
in a position to express himself publicly
on certain matters Of some importance.
From this point Of view the most important
matters he has had to deal with have been
the Catholic movements in Germany and in
Italy. Two acts of Plus Y. are worth con-
sidering, His letter to the Cologne Con-
gress and his confirmation OF Count Grosoli
az president of the Opera del Congressi.'
The whole Catholic press has published
the Pope's reply to the committee Of prepa-
rations OF the Cologne Congress. The
letter, in history, will begin the collection
OF documents by the new Pope. The
Catholics Of Germany have the right
to be proud Of this honor and above all
for having deserved it by fifty years of
energy, of union, of intelligent effort finally
crowned by the most e1v;able success.
Any comment on the letter would be
superfuous. At Rome they noted the
stress put by Plus X. in speaking Of his
predecessor -of immortal memory" and in
recalling the esteem that Leo XIII. showed
for German Catholics, in reminding these
not to forget his memory and that
of Windthorst. The new Pontif possesses
that ornament OF great souls, gratitude
The delicacy and promptness with which
he tries to give credit TO the services of
Leo XIII. have been appreciated at Rome.
II is no hattery to say that the Italian
Catholics come closest to the effort, and,
there is every reason to believe, to the sue
cess of the German Catholics. Like the
latter, they have general organization
that is strong and elastic. the Opera Gei
Congressi II will be remembered that in
The last months OF Leo XIII. s reign this
organization passed through crisis. A
faction OF influential members, disturbed
by the programme and by the name of
Christian Democracy, and irritated by the
etfervescence Of a portion Of the young
men" wished to repress everything
We will not go back to those incidents;
the result was the resignation OF the pres-
dent, Signor Paganuzzi, and the appoint
ment of Signor Groso, The latter's pro-
gramme became Immediately the union
of all men of good WILL leaving to each
group as much autonomy as was com
pGtble with the objects OF the national
association of congresses. Personally,
he expressed everywhere the liveliest
sympathy for Christian Democracy and
for the young party"
Now the new Pope comes from Venice,
he town Of Signor Paganuzzi. Last year,
when Sgnor Paganuzzi was attacked in
+ violent arti by the Abbate Murri, the
Patriarch of Venice came at once to his
,rfence in a public letter Moreover, he
s-ked of Leo Kill and obtained from him
high pontifical decoration for Signor
Pa ganuZzi
Therefore, as Signor Grosoli thought it
right to send in his resignation to the new
Pope, sgnor Paganuzzi's partisans de-
cared that Plus X would go back to him.
or at any rate, to some friend Of his, for the
presidency. Ii was easy to see, however,
that it was out Of generosity that the Pa
triarch Of Venice had acknowledged and
had caused to be acknowledged the un-
deniable services Of Signor Paganuzzi. 1t
was known also that Cardinal Sarto had
always encouraged Signor Grosoli and the
current of ideas represented by him.
So nobody was surprised to learn that Plus
X had simply restored signor Grosoli as
the head of the Italian Catholic move
ment Signor Grosoli explains the cir
run,.tance, ~ his confirmation in a cir