Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-08
NEW BLACK POPE
NOW HOLDS SWAY
Francis Xavier Wernz Elected
to the Office.
WELL UP IN CANON LAW
He is q German Priest of Letters Held
High in Esteem.
PONTIFF PR0N0UNCES APPROVAL
Well Fitted for the Place - Gypsy
soothsayers Declared Him a
Man Of the Future.
WELL UP IN CANON LAW
PoNTIFF PRoNoUNCEs APPROVAL

many was elected general of the
Company of Jesus today, and his
election met with the immediate
approval of Pope Plus, who pro-
nounced him just the man for the
place. The new BLACK Pope" is a
man of letters and an authority on
canon law. From his boyhood
great things have been expected of
him. Long years ago gypsy
soothsayer pronounced him a man
of the future and vouchsafed the
prophecy that he would be the
Pope of the Gypsies." The pre-
diction is recalled on the day of
his elevation to the head of the
world-famed society.
ROME, September s-Francis Xavier
Wernz, German, today was elected gen.
eral Of the Society of the Congregation of
the Company of Jesus. in succession to the
late Father Martin. who died last May.
Following the election messenger was
Immediately dispatched to the Vatican to in
form the pope of the choice, which, to be-
come effective, requires the papal sane
ton.
Although the strictest secrecy was OBJ
served. It is learned that two ballots were
taken before the final choice was made.
At the conclusion of the decisive ballot
the order had been chosen was communi-
Gated to the outer world by the ringing of
bell, which was the signal that the meet
ing was at an end. Formal announcement
of the election then was made to the rector
of the college. At the same moment Father
Alfred MaertenS, procurator general of the
Jesuits. started for the vatican to inform
Pope Plus of the company's choice He
vas received Immediately by the pontiff
Uho expressed great satisfaction over the
man fitted for the position" said the pope
when he had heard the message brought by
Father Maertens He charged Father Maer-
tens to take to General Wernz the apos-
tolic benediction. and also an affectionate
letter of greeting which he wrote to the
new general.
General Wernz Congratulated.
In the meantime Gen. Wernz was receiv-
ing congratulations from members of the
order and many others at his room in the
college, where he went Immediately after
the announcement of the election. Father
Wernz's comment upon his election, accord
Ing to story which came from the council
chamber. made Immediately upon the con-
clusion of the balloting. was, God. am
not worthy. but Thy will and that of St.
Ignatius be done"
No time has yet been fixed for the cleo
ton Of assistants to the general and for
other officials. including a secretary and
monitor.
at Rothweil, Wurtemburg, on December 2,
1S41, and at the age of fifteen years entered
the society of which he today was chosen
head. After long course of preparatory
work he took up the study Of canon law
at Dittan-Hall and in 1883 received an ap-
pointment as professor in the Gregorian
University. He also has been rector Of the
university since 1904. In 1897 Father Wernz
began the publication Of series Of books
dealing with the most profound questions
of canon law.
Four volumes Of this work already have
been published. He is a consulting member
of the congregation ecclesiastic extraordi-
nary affairs and index council.
May Infuse New Life.
1t is predicted that the choice of Father
Wernz as general of the Company of Jesus
will result in the infusion Of new life into
the organization. He is recognized in
church circles as a progressive man, Of
present-day ideas and extremely energetic
An interesting anecdote of Father Wernzs
boyhood. when a gypsy soothsayer predict
ed his later success In life. is recalled in
connection with his election today. Accord
ing to the story, when the old gypsy fixed
her eyes upon the boy she raised her hands
above her head, exclaiming, There is a
man of the future"
All those present who had heard the
gypsys words pressed around the old
woman and the boy. pouring questions upon
the fortune teller. He will command men,
she told them, in answer to their inquiries
of what she saw for the lad in the future
"Wil he become chief of the gypsies? 2"
asked one of the spectators.
He will be more than that" the old
woman replied. "Others may be king Of
the gypsies, but he will be pope of the
gypsies."