Arizona republican., 1903-08-07
The Succession of Sarto.


 Sarto had been unthought of as the possible successor of Leo the Thir- teenth Intelligent writers on the ques- tion of the papal succession had ire quently mentioned him as among the possibilities, but his prospects were re- garded as very slight. On the other hand, it is of course altogether inn probable that Leo at any time express ed wish tha. Sarto might succeel him. The late pope was too diplomatic to commit himself in that fashion, and certainly he would not have indicated his preference to the irresponsible reo- pie who have been quick to direct as- tention to themselves by asserting, without authority. that they were in the confidence of the late pope and-that he had fixed his hope on Sarto. It may be taken for granted, no matter whom the sacred conclave might have select ed, that similar claims would have been made-and with just as little authorl- ty. It is generally known that the great Leo was broad enough to be ex- ceedingly fond Of several of the more prominent cardinals who themselves were not especially friendly to each other. Thus, he esteemed most highly, Rampolla, Vannutelli, Gotti. Sarto. and many others who might be named-in fact all of the cardinals whose pre- eminent abilities had made them con- }I,a ohrr ant which had placed them properly in the line of succession.
 Among the writers to whom we have alluded. MT F. Marion Crawford, the eminent novelist, has an article in Everybody's Magazine for August. on the subject of Pope Leos Successor" and he gives prominence to Sarto as possible pope. But MT. Crawford was especially we'll qualified to deal with the subject. MT. Crawford was on inferred from the fact that Leo ap- pointed Crawford his biographer and gay him access to much valuable ma terial Indeed. MT. Crawford's maga-
  viously must have been written some time before the death of the late pope, gave to American readers their first in- formation concerning many uf the cardinals who within the past two weeks have been discussed for the pontificate of St. Peter, and the DOT trait of Sarto, printed in the maga- zine, has been reproduced by most newspapers. Of the new pope MT. Crawford has this to say:
 Here follow. in the order of their seniority, three cardinal-bishops, not resident in Rome. whose names are well known throughout Italy, and all three of whom are spoken of as prob able men. They are Sarto, patriarch of Venice: Svampa, archbishop of Bo- logna, and Ferrari, archbishop of Mi Ian.
 '.Cardinal Sarto was much talked Of in Italy when, on his preferment to the Venetian patriarchate in 1893, he en- countered a determined opposition on the part of the Italian government be- fore he could take possession of his see. The government maintained that the patriarchate was part of the king of Italy's patronage, and that it was the kings right to present his own candidate. The difficulty which en- sued was in reality shelved. because Cardinal Sarto. though chosen by the pope. was favorite with the Italian government and with King Humbert himself-a rather singular case in Italy. The cardinal has, therefore, ruled his diocese undisturbed during the last ten years. beloved by Catho lies esteemed by the government, and respected by his enemies. Under his sway. the Catholic institutions of Ve- nice have thriven exceedingly, and the cardinals piety. combined with his very noteworthy common-sense, has given him the reputation of beng an ideal bishop. He is sixty-eight years old. and is certainly a possible candi- date of the charitable class"
 So far as the Catholic church is con cerned, it seems to be peculiarly for tunate in the new pope. Immediately after the death of Leo XIII. one of the cardinals at Rome said to the news paper men, The next pope must com hine the piety of Plus TX with the brilliant intellect of Leo KILL and it appears that PiCs x almost ideally fills these requirements He is in vigorous health. and should have a long reign, and it is reasonable to expect that dur ing his reign the beneficent policies of Leo XIII whereby all Christian peoples were drawn closer together. regardless of creeds, will be followed to the still further effacement of the asperities in which 9 lack of civilization has led Protestant and Catholic to indulge to- ward each other. And if. by good for tune, the new pope should reign as long as his predecessor, he would prob ably live to see 2 total disappearance,