The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-09-10
THE APOSTOLIC DELE GATE.

Among the distinguished names of the Roman
hierarshy mentioned for the honors of the Car
dinalate is that of his exceency, Diomede Fal-
COMO, the Apostolic Delegate residing at Wash
ington.
1t seems to be recognized at Rome that those
who serve as Apostolic Delegate to the United
States are in the direct line of succession to the
College of Cardinals and are called from their
posts to act as the Popes councillors in directing
the policy of the Church throughout the world and
particularly in our great republic, Monsignor Fal-
COMO then, is but following in the footsteps of his
illustrious predecessors, Mgr. Satolli and Mgr,
Martinel
As the Popes personal representative in the
United States, his excellency, Mgr. Falconio, has
exercised jurisdiction wider than that of any for
mer Apostolic Delegate, and the qualities of high
diplomacy which are Indispensable at Washington
in the administration of the Delegates Office, seem
to be regarded by the Vatican as ample qualifca-
ton for the discharge of still more important
functions in the church
Not yet 20 years of age, a man of ripe scholar
ship and profound knowledge of church and state
diplomacy, Mgr. Falconio has served the church
all his life alike in the humblest and in the most
exalted stations When he succeeded Mgr. Mar
tnell nine years ago, his excellency was welcomed
as an American citizen, for although he was born
and educated in Italy, he came to America as a
young man and much of his life work was done
on this side of the ocean as professor or at the
College Of st. Bonaventure, Albany, as priest in
the italian colony of New York City, and then as
missionary on the island of Newfoundland. As a
franciscan, the present Apostolic Delegate was,
before his elevation to the episcopate subject to
the commands of the superiors of his order-that
ancient order of barefoot frars pledged to poverty
chastity and obedience-and he never hesitated to
20 where obedience called him.
in person, the Delegate is slender, rather under
than over the middle height, with grey eyes and
white hair. His address is excellent easy, simple,
direct, and he speaks English fuently with barely
noticeable foreign accent. Like all the members
of his order, Mgr Falconio in his church and in his
home wears the plain brown habit of the Fran
ciscan but his rank in the Roman hierarchy is in
dictated by an ornamental gold cross pendant from
a chain of exquisite workmanship and large
amethyst set in band of dull gold which he always
wears on the third finger of his right hand
The Delegate Is a native of Abruzzi which lies
near the Adriatic sea in mountainous country
lar east OF home. lie has himself told that at the
age of 10 he wished to become priest but that his
pious aspirations discouraged by his father,
who, although a man of strong religious faith and
feeling, had formulated in his mind other plans
for his clever son. His good mother however, en-
couraged her sons hopes and at the age of is, Do
mede Falconio entered the Franciscan Order, sail
ing four years later for America. He was accom-
panied on the voyage by Father Anacletus, who was
for many years associated with the Italian colony
Of New York. Father Diomede, as he was familiar
ly known, after four years professor in the College
Of st. Bonaventure, was assigned with Father An
acletus to missionary duty at Winsted, Conn. Here
NE remained for two years and, then, in obedience
to the wish of the minister general of his order
he went to Newfoundland as a missionary. Bishop
Carfagnini of Harbor Grace conceived great lik-
ing for the young priest, and appreciated his
its so much that he appointed him Vicar General
on his decennial visit to Rome instructing him with
the administration of the see.
Father Diomede was in Newfoundland for ten
years. Then he was appointed associate pastor,
with his old friend Father Anacetus, Of the parish