Omaha daily bee., 1911-10-31
POPE'S CHOICE IS A SURPRISE
Distinction Conferred on Church in
United States Causes Remark.
RECOGNITION OF HIGH PRELATEs
Appointments Are In Line with the
Policy of Pope Pius-Is Al
most without Parallel in
Church's History.

ROME. oct. sO-The creation OF three
American cardinals has aroused intense
interest in Rome. The fixing Of the date
FOR holding the Consistory and the nam
ing OF fourteen other cardinals has been
overshadowed by the announcement OF
the honors which are to go to the United
States. Secrecy regarding the appoint
ments was so well maintained that the
great majority of the people OF Rome
only learned of the selection this morn
ing. The warmest CONGRATULATIONS have
been pouring into the vatican today,
many Of them directed particularly to
Cardinal Merry del Val, the papal secre-
tary Of state.
The distinction conferred upon America
IS the highest in the history OF the
church, considering that that country un-
til 1893 was still n missionary country in
the eyes of the vatican and under the
jurisdiction of the propaganda. Under
similar conditions England IS the only
country which has ever had three cardi-
nails at one time-Ncwman, Manning and
Howard whose entrance into the sacred
college was due 20 their personalities.
In the present instance, Il is stated, the
pope has decided to elevate three Ameri-
can prelates to the cardlnalate In accord
ance with his oft-repeated assertion that
he desired to show the great apprecia-
ton he has for the influence Of America
and the enlightenment Of the episcopacy
there.
The pope today recalled that when he
was elected pontiff the first pilgrimage
was an American pilgrimage; the first
flags waved in st. Peters for his election
and the first he blessed were American.
On that occasion he promised Cardinal
not one but several American cardinals.
VIII send Biretta.
To add solemnity TO the honor con-
ferred upon America, the pope, instead
Of having the new cardinals come here
for the consistory, in November, will
send them the red baretta by special
delegations each composed Of mon
signor among the papal and private
chamberlains, accompanied by noble
guard. The cardinals later will come to
Rome to receive the red hat from the
hands OF the pope in consstory to be
held early in 1912.
The appointment OF Monsignor Falconio
Will render the apostolic delegation at
Washington vacant and this already has
resulted in much discussion regarding
Monsignor Falconio's successor. Those
mentioned as most likely to receive this
Important appointment include Monsignor
Stangi apostolic delegate to Canada,
who is well acquainted with the United
States, where he resided for time.
Monsignor Agius papal delegate in the
Philippines, where he proved his SYM
pathy for the United States in co-opeTa-
ton with the American officials and
Monsignor Aversa, envoy extraordinary
in Cuba and Porto Rico has come into
frequent contact with America and
American people.
Others I'm Line.
The list includes Monsignor Prior, for
merly rector of Beda college for Anglo
American affairs, who Is here now a:
judge of the Rome Tribunal, the Mos
Rev, Father Denis Schuler, formerly
minister general of the order OF Friar'
Minor. but lately appointed a titulal
archbishop and finally, Monslgnor Ken
nedy, rector of the American college
In Rome, against whom might militat,
the fact that he is an American.
Cardinal Vincenzo Vannutelli expressed
himself today as delighted with thu
popes decision. Cardinal Vannutell
after the Eucharistlc congress at Montrea
In 1910 visited the United States and OF
his return to Rome, made an eulogisti
report to the pope with reference t
the condition of Catholicism in Americ'
and the extraordinary influence ant
prestige OF the archbishops there. II
urged the necessity Of giving the grea
republic an adequate representation IL
the sacred college,. ...
In speaking Of the coming appoint
ments, the cardinal said that indeed, h
would have desired the appointment 0
even a greater number of American
cardinals than three in order TO Civ
representation TO the west But" b
concluded this viii be for anothe
time"