The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-10-05
A HARD.WoRkED CARDINAL.
A Diary Of the Daily Duties Performed
bv the p.n.I Secrat.rv of St.te

ny tne faPal secretary OF STATE.
So much has been written in the
past few years Of the fascinating per-
sonality of that popular prelate, Car
dinal Merry Del Val, that it is we'll to
consider exactly in what consist the
functions appertaining to the lofty
office he has occupied during one Of
the most momentous crises of the
Catholic Church.
The Papal Secretaryship Of State as
now constituted. was created in the
18th century and came into being as
the: result of the change of politico re-
ligious situation arising from various
schisms. Previously, the government
Of the Church had been theological or
canonical. political negotiations being
practically unknown, since the Holy
See only commanded and affirmed. and
never discussed. The growth of the
Papal States naturally gave rise to
political exigencies requiring the crea-
ton Of a new ONCE. The importance
Of the great post, which really entailed
all the energies and attention Of the
occupant, won for its holder the title
of Cardinale Padrone, or Master Car
dinal, a prestige which still attaches
to it. He is above every other Car
dinal in ofi1cial importance and dig
nifty.
How necessary it is that the Vatican
should have its Prime Minister, can be
seen when one considers that the fol-
lowing countries have their special
representatives at the Court of the
Sovereign Pontiff: Austria, Spain,
Prussia, Bavaria, Portugal. Belgium,
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador Peru, Haiti,
San Domingo and Monaco
On her part the Church has her dip
lomatic representatives in Austria,
Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Bavaria, Hol-
land and Brazil. with delegates apos-
tolic for Ecuador, Bavaria, Peru, San
Domingo, Haiti, Venezuela, Russia has
also an official representative at Rome.
Twice week. on Tuesdays and Fri
days, the Cardinal secrtary E-:ves in
turn the ambassadors and special en-
voys. This is the Secretary's first
function. his second being the conduct
ing of a voluminous mass of corre-
spondence with the nuncios and inter-
nuncios, the dealing with their reports
and despatching Instructions for their
guidance. Diplomatic dinners: are of
rare occurrence at the Vatican. only
taking place on the occasion of the
holding Of consistories. Etiquette for
bids the Pope being present at them,
the duty Of entertaining guests being
left to the Secretary of State, his dep
uty.
Every morning the Cardinal Secre-
tary is received by His Holiness, when
the situation as regards the Church
is discussed, the Pope having been pre-
viously supplied with all the latest
newspaper dispatches affecting the po-
litical or religious condition of the
world. On leaving the Pope, usually
at 9 o'clock in the morning day Of
hard work begins for the Secretary,
the strenuousness Of which is not sur
passed in the cabinet Of any Prime
Minister or Sovereign in the world.
Under his orders are a score of &C.
clesiastical secretaries, to whom the
Secretary Of State dictates or sketches
the nature of instructions in certain
difficulties. This done. a series of
propositions have to be prepared for
presentation on the next day, to the
Pontiff since nothing is done without
his orders or instructions.
AS the Angelus rings the Cardinal
Secretary leaves his cabinet in order
to receive his guests in the reception
halls. set aside for his particular use.
Here may be seen people of distinction
from all countries Of the world. In
the case Of Merry Del Val, the peculiar
fascination he exercises over people,
made him the most visited man in the
Eternal City. 1t is no uncommon sight
to See the following company at his
receptions: An English duke, not a
Catholic; New York newspaper man
belonging to a non -sectarian journal
the Chief Of an Irish Jesuit College; an
Irish parish priest; sporting English
squire; the Austrian ambassador to
Italy; member Of the House of Com
mons; Chicago millionaire with a
couple Of Harvard sons; an ofiicer in
the English Horsesuards; a Spanish
Bishop; missionary from Africa, sure
ly as interesting a collection of human
being as any host could desire. At his
business receptions he has need, says
French writer, Of more mental agility
than is given to most Of the sons Of
men. He cannot plead that anything
is outside his province, since he is act