The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-08-18
POpE'S CONDITION
IS VERY SERIOUS
THAT Plus x Cannot Live
Long Is Now Admitted
In Italian Capital.
(Nat,onal News Associations,


ROME. Aug. 18.-That Pope Plus X,
cannot last much longer is becoming
q matter of conviction In all quarters.
A. a consequence the possibility OF
the imminent conclave is in the
thoughts OF all persons connected with
the Vatican, though there is not the
slightest sign as yet of canvassing or
intrigue among the Cardinals for the
chair OF st. Peter Nevertheless prog
nostications as to the possible success
eor to the present Pontiff are being
made
The Sacred College now has only
9orty-nine members. twenty-eight ltal-
fans and twenty-one foreigners. The
italian majority is strong in number,
but II IL stronger still in influence.
Nearly all OF the Italian Cardinals re-
side in Rome and direct all the az
fairs OF the Papacy. AS heads OF con-
gregations they have the power exer-
cised elsewhere by cabinet ministers.
Their views are carried out by Italian
subordinates. All the Papal nuncios
are Italian, depending from an Italian
Cardinal secretary of state. The ma
ljority of the Vatican officials are Ital-
ian, from the high chamberlain Of the
apostolic palace to the lowest mental
,employed about the premises. All
these people. with their influence.
and everything to lose from a foreign
successor to Plus X.
Foreign Cardinals being thus out of
the contest. the choice of the next
Pope will be confined to one of the
twenty-eight Italian members OF the
Sacred College. The best Catholic
sentiment in Rome at the present time
seems to be unanimous IN its express
sion in favor Of Cardinal Rampolla as
successor to Plus X. Cardinal RAM
polla came near being a successful
Pope was chosen. It may be assumed
that the Cardinals who voted for him
vat the last conclave will again support
him, while 1t Ia we'll known that many
OF his former adversaries are now his
supporters. Plus X, himself Is re-
ported to have said that he felt that
his successor should be Leo XIV, thus
clearly designating Rampolla. whose
policy would have been a continuation
Of that OF Leo XIII.
The election of Rampolla at the last
conclave was prevented only by Aus
tralia's veto. There will be no men,
ton of a veto at the next conclave, for
one Of the first acts OF Pope Plus X,
was the PRONUNCIATION of constitution
abolishing the veto power OF Austria,
Spain and France in the Papal cleo
tons and prohibiting Cardinals under
the pain OF accommodation from re-
ceiving even In the form Of simple
desire any demand for their good Of
II known In the conclave regardless
of whatever manner 1t may have come
to their knowledge.
Cardinal Rampolla Is without excep-
ton at the present time the most nota-
BILE figure OF the Sacred College. He Is
a Sicilian by birth and 1t was just six
ty-eight years ago yesterday that he
first saw the light of day. He was edu-
Gated at the College Capranica and the
Academy Of the Noble Ecclesiastics in
Rome and in 1875 became attached to
the nunciature at Madrid.
In 1877 he became secretary of the
congregation of Oriental Rites. In
1882 he was created titular Archbishop
Of st. Heracles and sent to Spain as
nuncio He was created and proclaim.
ed Cardinal, March IA. 1887, taking
title from the Church of St. Cecilia,
and few months later was named Sec
rotary Of state. Since the death Of his
former chief. Pope Leo Kill. he has
lived a very retired life, restricting his
activities almost exclusively to his
duties as head priest of St. Peters.
The distinguished family connec.