The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-30

ropcmakcr and the Possible Pope.
ROME. July 20.--Political curr ents no
r..ppnr divide as they used to do the various
c,o,,r, ot the Sacred College. Never has
pa,ary been so much as now super
,,'iopal institution, an exclusively religious
minIstry
When the newspapers attribute TO any
cardinal French or German or Austrian
r. Italian sympathies, they make gross
l,rnder 1t would be more exact 10 say
,l,at such a State is inclined toward such Il
cardinal and favors his election and
candidacy.
Thus it is true and undeniable that Aus
ria will prefer to propose Cardinal Serafino
yannutel; Germany Cardinal Gotti; France
Russia. Spain, Portugal and the United
states. Cardinal Rampolla. But these sin
cuslons" or exclusions or predictions
rather compromise the candidates..
Nowadays external influences are shown
to be DOW erless by the bulls Of Plus TX and
The regulations Of Leo XIII on the intan-
eibility OF the Conclave. I am sure that
cardinal Gotti would have gladly dispensed
with being distinguished by the German
Emperor. however aattering the distino-
ion was. II governments wish to extend
heir action to the Sacred College they
an make use OF only a sound policy OF
silence and discretion.
In the same way 1t seems idle or unbecom-
ing to predict that such and such a Cardinal
OF such and such Pope will have French
OF a German or an Austrian policy, &c.
The new era in the Church and the Papacy
impose and demand but one policy, that OF
the fundamental interest Of the Church.
The Holy See may. according to circum-
stances, change its attitude toward govern
ments. A Pope may strike higher or a
over note, according to the conduct OF
he Church and the Papacy
Thus, to take concrete instance, the
new Pope will be obliged to arrange his
pontihcate according TO the future designs
OF the French Government: he will be more
stiff or more plant toward Ministers IN
accordance with circumstances and
interest.
But, whatever may be the character
which he may impress on his negotiations
or his acts, the conduct Of the Holy See
with regard TO France will not be modified
in any way. In the eyes OF Rome, France
is, and remains, a great Catholic reality
lust as Prussia is and remains great
Lutheran force. Changes in relations with
Ministers, changes that may be possible
under the same Pope. do not imply in any
way a different policy toward a nation.
Leo XIII, proclaimed adhesion to the
Republic precisely because, behind success
sive and transient Cabinets, he looked, not
to the interest OF political party, but
to the greatness OF France and the influence
OF the Papacy. In consequence of the
Dreyfus affair, which was partly directed
against the Papal policy and the
Franco Russian alliance, the policy
OF adhesion did not have Its
full effect; 1t has merely prevented
a xreater evil, break between Rome and
Paris, and the abolition Of the Concordat.
That Is a result which is not to be disdained
and the successor OF Leo XIII will be obliged
to pursue this policy because it aocords
essentially with the security OF France and
The glory OF the Papaoy.
That is true Of the other central ideas
of the reign. When Leo XIII. saw the
plans Of exclusion among the States OF
Europe he selected as Cardinals in his last
consistories friends Of Cardinal RAmpolA
in order that they might be electors OF a
Pope who should continue his policy. 1t is
probable that Cardinal Rampoua will pre-
serve absolute reserve.
A mystic, discreet, impen strabe. mac
cessibe to intrigue the Secretary Of State
avoids coming in contact with men and
does not love politics. Brought up gradu-
ally to the higher employments by his be-
owed master, hard task master and free
from personal interests as are great saints,
he served Leo XIII. and carried out his sub
lime designs out Of obedience and love for
the Pope.
He smiles with his mysterious smile.
amlable or contemptuous, which marks
the corner Of his lips and lights up his
pathetic face when he watches the changes
Of events and the campaigns in the news
papers
He has never been heard to utter a COM
plant against the base attacks or the
treachery Of which he has been so often
he object He fulfls his office as he sings
high mass, out Of beauty and piety. His
clear conscience and pure intentions raise
him very high above the dusty battle
ground of political intrigue. His motto is
We must serve only the Holy See and the
Church"
To guarantee the Papacy and the Con-
cave against the greedy and eager invasions
Of parties to develop the powers OF the
Holy See and catholicism and to win back
The independence of the Holy See Is his
sole ideal 1t is he who will make the Pope
II he wishes. Will he wish it?
Will he even select candidate? don't
believe it. And that is the best guarantee
Of success Cardinal Rampolla del Tin
daro's candidacy L. not put forward di-
recly and is kept in discreet shadow. To
tellthetruth it is advanced by public opinion
because really it is forced upon the atten-
tion Of the Christian world.
He Ia in fact a sort Of vice-Pope whom
the Catholic Church has become accustomed
to SEE at the head Of its government He
Was Nuncio at Madrid when the incident OF
the Carolines occurred, which he turned 80
skifully to the moral profit OF the Holy
See, The great success which the Church
derived in this affair, when Germany and
Spain eft the judgment!of their differences
10 tie arbitration Of the Pope, was due
largely to him.
HAT was toward the end of 1885 Mgr.
Is'm0ola was young--he was not yet quite
42-but no one was surprised to Sec him
soon after invested with the purple and
F.yE.d IL, ba ,,naitt,p no 10