The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-20
EATH ENDS POPE LEO'S GRAND AND NOBLE CAREER

sion. Pope Leo XIII unhesitatingly main
tained his demand for the restoration OF
the temporal power OF the papacy, nor did
he ever recede from the position then
taken up.
VATICAN INFLUENCE INCREASED.
At the same time the policy OF the
Roman church certainly underwent a de-
velopment I'm the direction OF moderation,
which greatly contributed 20 increasing
the influence Of the vatican abroad. From
the very outset the new pontir displayed
the greatest interest In the social ques-
tions agitating the world OF today and
In an encyelical issued in December lb7s
appealed 10 the intellectual forces of
Catholicity 10 contest the propaganda OF
doctrines which His Holiness described as
subservient OF social order, alluding es-
pecialfy TO the Socialists I'm Germany and
the Nihilist movement I'm Russia.
The cooperation afforded by the pope
10 the various governments In opposing
the growing forces OF social democracy
paved the way for the settlement Of dts
putes existing between those governments
and the vatican. both spiritual and civil
authorities being, as IL were. called upon
10 merge their differences and make com
mon the cause against the common enemy.
The first great political achievement OF
the pope was the settlement OF the diff
terenCeS WIN which given
rise TO the famous Kuturkampf
GERMANY SEEKS SUPPORT.
The rapid spread Of anarohistic doc
trines In Germany and the attempts made
upon the emperors life IN 1873 induced
Prince Bismarck TO make approaches to
the Ultramontane party 20 secure their
support for his economic policy. Herr
Falk. the famous author OF the May laws,
was removed from office and other con-
cessions were made 10 the Catholics.
Finally. diplomatic relations with the vat
lean were resumed and the late Emperor
Frederick. then crown prince. signalized
the restoration OF an harmonious under
standing by visiting the pope at the vau-
can.
A still greater tribute was paid by Ger
many 10 his holiness by her selection OF
him as arbitrator IN the dispute with
Spain regarding the Caroline Islands, and
her deferential acceptance OF his decf-
sion In favor OF the weaker power. His
success I'm this arbitration induced the
pope TO declare his readiness 10 act as
arbitrator in other disputes for the
benefit OF the whole OF Europe and or
Christianity; but, for this. his holiness
declared n TO be essential that he should
be restored his liberty as an Independent
temporal sovereign. This demand, how
ever, met with no response, as far as
foreign governments were concerned. and
the hopes which had been expressed in
some quarters that the German en-
peror's visit TO the pope In 1888 might
lead 10 Germany advocating the tenn
poral claims OF the holy see were soon |
fissipated The pope. himself In letter |
TO the German bishops, declared that he |
regarded the presence OF the Emperor |
william IN Rome as the guest OF the |
u,arinal as "deplorable recognition Of |
accom- ulighed facts"
The interests of the triple alliance |
were not compatible with those of the |
vatican and even Catholic Austria could |
not afford TO offend Italy by espousing |
the pope's cause. although the Emperor |
Francis Joseph abstalned from VISITING |
KING Humbert In the city OF Rome and |
thereby openly recognizing the legality |
OF the italian occupation.
ATTITUDE TOWARD FRANCE.
Perhaps the most remarkable feature |
of the late Popes policy was the change |
m the attitude which the Vatican had |
hitherto preserved in regard TO the |
French Republic AT the beginning of |
Pope I.eos reign the Identification of the |
,lergy with the Royafist movement which |
rave rise TO Gambetta's famous remark:
re clericalisme! VOLTA rennui!' had
,aused an antagon SIN to all that savored |
" religion. which at one time bid fair |
o lead to the early separation OF church |
md state in France. Alive to the danger
IF the situation the Pope sought to con-
,iliate the Republic by acknowledging 1t |
Is the established legal form of govern
nent, and in 1891 the late Cardinal La
-igerie gave expression 10 HIS Holiness
iews on this subject 20 the great surprise
4 the Catholic press and the perturbation
4 not few members OF the French Epis-