Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-22
THE NEW BLACK POPE
THE PERSONALITY AND LIFE
HISTORY OF FATHER WERNTZ.
,pecia1 Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence OF The Star
ROME, September 10, 1905.
Much interest has doubtless been mani
tested in Washington as to the personality
of Father Francis Xavier Werntz, who last
Saturday was elected to preside over the
destinies Of the Society Of Jesus. His cleo
ton to the high off1ce-popularly spoken OF
as that Of the BLACK Pope"-was surprise
in all quarters. Speculation. wide and vari-
GUS, had been INDUCED In. According to
precedent and the views of large number OF
the members of the society, Father Freddi.
an Italian member of the order, who had
been nominated In the will of the late
general to exercise the functions OF that Of
flee until a successor could be duly named
at congregation, was the logical successor.
Time and again the nomination Of de-
ceased general has been confirmed by the
congregation of the society.
The Society Of Jesus Is worldwide
body, and each country had it's own partic-
ulH favorite. There was strong sentiment
in America for the election OF rather Ru-
dolph Meyer of st. Louis, Mo. He, 1t was
claimed by those. who knew him best pos
sessed every needed qualification and more
for exercising the duties of the high Office
A long service here in Rome as one of the
administrative officers in the general s
councils presupposed executive ability Of q
high order, while his mentality is such as
would lend eclat to SO distinguished posi-.
ton. Added to this was the urgent cry Of
the Catholics of America for recognition In
the higher councils off the Catholic Church
at Rome, "a desire that appears more and
Ollie Church in the United States" as dis
tinguished American traveller expressed
himself to your correspondent. 1t was de-
clared that the German element Of the or
der was pressing for recognition of one OF
it's favorite sons, much stress being laid on
the fact that should a German be elected as
general the Emperor Of Germany might be
Influenced to repeal the restrictive laws OF
All this speculation, it is declared, partic-
ularly the latter, was the veriest bum
combe. There was no possible means OF in
diligently determining who would succeed
Father Martin, the late general, and that
German was finally selected was in the
nature Of coincidence rather than a JUS
LITIGATION of a well-founded conviction.
singularly enough. little or nothing is
new general, Father Werntz He Is a Sc
rious- minded man Of simple manner and
tastes, and does not seem to be observant
to even an ordinary degree, being further
described as man living much within
himself His mental attainments are Of a
notable character, particularly his learning
in canon law. Likewise something Of a
linguist, he speaks English fiuently. He
made canon law his Hfework, and at the
time Of his election was at work on the
codfication of these laws-a labor which
he will now Of necessity have to lay aside.
He was also the author Of many such
standard works. Many OF his best works
may doubtless be found in the libraries of
American universities.
The only administrative Office Father
Werntz held was as rector Of the Gre
gorian University here. He has also been a
member Of several congregations in the
church. These congregations may be liken-
ed to the congressional committees in
America, each being presided over by a
cardinal, who Is an expert in that particu-
lar branch Of church administration.
Father Werntz, the new general was born
in Rottweil, near Stuttgart, Germany, De-
cember 4, 1872 This was one of the free
towns in the old German empire, having its
own government He entered the Jesuit
order when only fifteen years Of age, and
when the Jesuits were driven out OF Ger
many repaired to Ditton Hall, near Lon
don, better known as the "Culter-kamp."
He made his profession on reaching his
thirtdeth year OF age.