The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1914-09-19
BENEDICT XV. is
A BORN DIPLOMAT
Selection Due Largely TO That
Fact and His Age.
ASTuTE, CALM, CAUTIOUS.

"Chosen Because He Was Recognized
as Safe Leader For Church When All
Europe Was In Arms"-is of an En-
eaging PersonaIity-conbines Char
acteristics of Last Two Pontiffs.
Pope Benedict XIV. is the two hun
dred and sixtieth occupant of the
chair of St Peter. Like most Of his
predecessors he is an Italian. OF fifty
seven popes since 1878 only four have
been foreigners. There were one Greek,
two Spaniards and one Dutchman.
AS Benedict XIV, if fate deals as
kindly with him as his predecessors.
the new pope Is apt to occupy the
throne for many years. He was fifty
nine years of age Nov. Fl last. Plus
X. was sixty-eight at his election, and
his pontificate lasted eleven years
Leo MIL was the same age. and he
reigned twenty-five years. Gregory
XIV, who preceded Plus TX. was
sixty-fve years of age when elected,
and he reigned sixteen years. The
youngest man to be chosen pontif in
the last three quarters of a century was
Plus TX. He was only fifty-four, and
his pontificate covered thirty-two years,
1t is believed that the age Of the new
pope had considerable to do with his
choice at the present time. 1t was
deemed wise to have pontiff not
weighted down with years or intirmity.
Also it was realized that Cardinal della
Chiesa was we'll versed in all the
diplomacy Of the Vatican, an especially
important consideration now, with
half the world at war.
Choice of Name Indicates Policy.
"1f we can judge" says the Rev.
John j. Wynne, S. j., editor of the
Catholic Encyclopedia, ''of the intention
Of the new pope by the choice of his
name, Benedict XIV, he will combine
'ry happily In his administration the
characteristics of the last two pontiffs.
Leo and Plus, the former distinguished
for his temporal policies, the latter FOR
his spiritual.
onist, and q canonist is needed now to
bring to completion the great work be-
gun by Plus X. Of codifying and adapt
ing the laws of the church to it's mod
ern conditions. The last Benedict was
also a great liturgist and perhaps thS
most successful Of all the popes in
conciliating the eastern churches. 1t
Is very likely, therefore, that Benedict
XIV. will insist on the liturgical re-
forms, particularly in church music,
esta ablished by Plus X, and there is no
doubt that he will initiate the late
pontif in attempting to bring about
the unity Of churches Of the east and
of the west"
A man Of diplomacy, a cool, level
headed leader, man Of even temper
who can face q tremendous emergency
dispassionately. q man of the school of
Cardinal RampOlia, with a keen rever-
ence for all the traditions OF the Vati-
can-that is the impression Pope Bene,
dict XIV. made upon an American who
had a chance several years ago to
meet and to know the man who Is now
head Of the Roman Catholic church
1t was in 1907, when he was then
Mgr. della Chiesa, holding minor
post in the Vatican, that the present
pontiff was in position to meet men
from foreign lands. One of these men
was Amasa Thornton, a New York
| lawyer.
Regarded as Safe Leader.
'"The present pope" says Mr.. Thorn
ton, never lost his head and was
never angry. He was one Of the kind
est hearted men l ever met
81 think that he was chosen not be-
cause he was builder or u construc-
tive genius. but because he was recog-
nized as a safe leader for the church
when all Europe was In arms. At an
other time believe he would not have
been considered.
"The new pOntiff has a most engag-
ing personality. He convinceS one at
once of his earnestness. He is familiar
with important issues He is quick to
/ grasp and quick to act He is courte-
Gus and at the same time guarded in
his response.
"Pope Benedict is n strong believer