The Washington herald., 1913-03-09
POPE'S KEEN INTEREST in
HOLY LAND AND MEXICO

The Pope has just sent to the Holy
Land new commissioner, Rev. q.
Carcaterra- He is a Franciscan. and
Joined the order in Jerusalem, where he
las lived and worked since 1891. The
arrival Of the new commissioner In
Jerusalem was made an unusual event
after his visit to Rome and Ills appoint
ment- All of the foreign consuls greeted
him, the French at the head, followed
closely by the Italian. Upon entering
the Church of the Holy Saviour the
French consui took precendence in the
escort. In the procession was the patri-
arch of Jerusalem, Mgr. Carnozzi, once
rector of the College of the Propaganda
at Rome.
and reception. Is in the new interest
which the Vatican hopes to show, grow
Ing out Of the decline Of the power of
Turkey. the closer relations with France
because Of the election Of NJ. Poincare
to the presidency, and the activity of
the Emperor Of Germany. In doing its
part toward improving Palestine on
religious and sanitary lines, the Vati-
can is doing that which interests all the
world. Franciscans have from time i'm
memorial been intrusted by the Pope
with administration in the Holy Land.
iheS nave CoiNcHlS NJ t'ie bciS Sepul-
cher at Bethlehem. quite near to the
Church of the Nativity. and IN Jerusa-
lem. where is the headquarters of the
papal commissioner. This custodian.
while not i bishop has the right to wear
The mitcr at all functions. and is an
apostolic delegate an his general duties
The seating of President Poincare in
the Elyses Palace in Paris caused the
Vatican to make known in print and all
ether ways its expectation or both new
and better relations in the Holy Iand
and the near Fast and far. through
French protection. and Il resumption Of
diplomatic relations. The publication Of
the Vstican's wishes. made known in
plain terms. was most unusual, showing
that the Pope is. even in his advanced
age. luItc up to the modern efficiency
TiLns ;hat one hears Of in secular lines
;crndny. France. Turkey, the Holy
! and. tn" Vctic.n-alI are alive to new
conditions hat are rapidly developing.
European Turkey is no longer in the
balance in a religious Wy, but not so is
Asistic Turkey. President Poincare and
the Vatican will. so the Vatican fonJiy
hopes. be large factors in the new ad-
justmcnts.
The Pope has for more than a year en-
the interests Of Catholics in troubled
Mexico. Prayers for Mexico have been
many times offered, as they were little
earlier for Tripoli and all Of the time for
Catholics in Constantinople and Mace
donia. Close touch has been had with
the apostolic delegate to Mexico. Mgr. |
Rodolil. Archbishop of Lodi. During |
President Madero's term. relations with |
the Vatican were not as close as had !
been possible under President Diaz. but |
the relations Of the church with Mexico |
iad been well maintained. Recently word |
has gone from the Vatican that the |
,hurch must do all she possibly can TO |
Ielp. while not interfering with internal |
Affairs. There are eight Catholic arch |
iioceses in Mexico. besides the vicarate
apostolic of Lower California. and there ,
IRE twenty-five dioccseS with as many |
bishops. The Archbishop OF Mexico. the |
Most Rev. Jose Mora, is grand chancellor /
II the university, connected with which
S the seminary. Schools of all kinds are
many. the Marsts. FrancisCans, Angus
inians. and many others being at their
lead. Parochial schools similar to those
n the United States have recently been
sta ablished in considerable numbers. both
n the City of Mexico and in Guadalaj jara,
which in church affairs is second only 10
Icxico City itself