The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-21
DEATh OF The POPE.

UT EoI 1s
great, good man is dead. The aged
servant of Christ and ruler over millions
of loving churchmen is at rest. NO more
struggling for BREATH no more pain for
him. Past the ninety-third milestone In
life's stony journey, we'll on towards the
ninety-fourth, he has fallen on Steep
happy in the faith he had so long held'
sustained by the promises which meant
so much for him. He had been blessed
with long life and he had always oeen
energetic and systematic, yet he had not
done all that he wished to do, Tor the
glory of God and the honor OF the
Church. In his last days his zeal was
,nd,minished and he thought of GOOD
work that he wanted to do. which must
be left undone. and that was his great
est regret. His death has caused the
world to pause for the time being at
least. but there will be no dispute as TO
tho verdict to be rendered. 1t WIN DC
granted that he was one OF the most
eminent men of his age. and pronapl the
hrst Of the historical characters OF the
past quarter of a century.
He was distinguished for plety' lot ms
energetic work for the Church, for his Wis
dom in counsel and for his tact IN dea4lhs
with questions vastly vexatous ana eA-
tremely momentous in consequences ne
was the first and only one IN MS hish u
a.. "a begin and end his functions stripped
- The temporal powers that had 80 long
belonged to the papacy. 1t is no wonoer
+ho+ tho relations between the Vatican
and the Quirinal were "stralneo l'es
we're all that and more. Leo's poacy WAS
10 be friendly with all other powers ana
RI isolate Italy. He was "the Prisoner OF
the Vatican" spending his life IN that
palace and its gardens, but not putting
foot upon the soil ruled over by one who.
he held. had usurped power and territory
that riehtfully belonged to the church.
His home in the Vatican, however. was
worthy OF him, and his majestic Office.
1t is a building with thousands OF rooms
and grounds in which one may drive for
hours amid fountains and flowers. vines
and trees. The Vatican Is also the homo
Of many OF the most priceless art treas
ures In the world: many OF them having
place on the frescoed ceiling and walls
of the chapels and historic chambers.
There. too. is library OF measureless
value. especially In Mss. Churchman
statesman .poet-Leo must have loved to
breathe that.air: must have found great
consolation for his isolation In that at
mosphere so dear to the scholarly man.
In this connection it Is interesting to
recall that the first prizes he won when
a student at the Roman College were
in chemistry and physics and the first
accessit. In mathematics. He was also
distinguished for his achievements in
Latin verse Then he began the study
OF theology, In the Academy OF Noble
Ecclesastics. and in the Roman Uni
verslty winning the chief honors in his
classes. and the doctorate of law when
put twenty-one years of age, Gregory
XVI. was prompt 10 discover his promise.
md appointed him domestic prelate,
March 16, 1887, before he had been ele-
yated to the priesthood
Rome was made the capital of United
Italy on July 2 1871, against the urgent
protest of Plus *, who died February Z,
1878, and was succeeded by this Cardinal
Pecci, under the name OF Leo XIII. II
remained for Leo TO equal the years OF
Peter in the pontifcal chair. and his
rsAgn became the longest but one--that OF
Plus Kin the history Of the church.
1t is no part of our purpose to re
view here the life's work Of Leo XIII,
but we cannot omit to remark upon tn
great attention that he bestowed upoi
the United States. The establishment o
Catholic University in Washington: In
appointment Of an apostle delegate I
this country; the settlement Of the Friar'
question in the Philippines-all went i
his high estimate OF us as one of tn
greatest powers of the earth,
Leo XIII. is secure OF an e&alted plac
in history; nor is that position due hir
simply because Of his long occupancy o
the pspal chair, though 1t is marvelou
that he should have retained his menta
powers, undmmed, TO his ninety-fourt
year. He re!gned long. and the genera
Judgment Is that he reigned well, II
leaves his church in more four.shin
condition than he found it. II is sironI
united. and. within conservative line
progressive. He enjoyed the unboundc
affection OF the children OF the earth /
whom he stood in the relation OF Iiol
Father, while non-catholies, general
lacked upon him as a great leader