Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-02-01
TO
Be PICKED FROM
TEN CARDINALS
Most OF 81 Members Of Sacred
College Not In Running To
Head Church

AB%1eA ~$tA~h Saa
ROME, Feb. L. Well-informed
rcrsons in ecclesiastical circles here
are unable to point to any one cardi-
nal as the most probable successor to
Benedict XIV.
But every one in vatican circles
agree on two points.
One-That the next pope will be
an Italian.
Two-Tbat he will be picked from
among the pastoral cardinals-those
in charge of various dioeeses-ra-
ther.than from the members of curia,
or pope's council.
That the next pope will be an
Italian is certain, ecclesiastical ex-
ports say, because 81 of the 81 men,
bcrs Of the Sacred College, major
ity-arc of Italian birth.
Prediction On Past
And the prediction that the next
lnpe will be pastoral cardinal is
based on a careful study of the pa
pal elections Of the hast two centu-
rics,
Observation has shown vatican OBJ
covers that whenever a so-called
political pope is elected, he is fol
lowed by a religious" pope as
sort of reaction.
And, in the same way, when re
Iigious" pope occupies the pontif-
cate, he is followed by political
pope
Thus Leo XIII. is called political"
because Of the world conditions un-
der which he wa selected.
He was followed by Piux X, pure
Iy religious" pope
And Benedict XIV quite naturally
was. a policital'' pope, having been
elevated to the pontilical seat at a
time-WhenSthe whole Christian world
was in q turmoil.
Point To Religious Pope"
That's why experts predict a ''rc-
ligious" successor to Benedict XIV.
Now, of the 81 Italian cardinals,
4 q are members of the curia. They
live in Rome, sit on various eccles-
iastical tribunals and aid the pope in
governing the church.
None of these can be considered
as probable Popcs-not only be-
cause they are eliminated by the
1ole Of religious" and political
succession but because all the out
standing curia members are too old
to assume the burdens Of the ponti-
dcate.
Cardinal Gasparri is 70. And he
Is exhausted from the tremendous la
Dor of codifying the canon law, which
was one of his duties as papal secre-
tary of state.
Cardinal Vannutelli, ah outstand-
ing cardinal, is "a. Cardinal di Bel
monte Is 70. Cardinal Vico is "A.
Ten Only Possibilities
30 the possibilities narrow down to
pe lo Italian pastoral cardinals who
mead various dioceses.
Cardinal Mafi of Pisa is one Of
Taese' He is extremely popular in
i'aiy He's Cd and has been a cardi-
''"i IA years. He is Strong italian
P7Iflot and stands for reconciliation
between the vatican and the Italian
n government.
i, another leading possibility is Car
"'Hal kattl of Milan Ratti has been
cardinal only one year, hut Pope
benedict had been a cardinal only
1our months when elevated.
Rattl started his career as curator
IN the Libraries of Milan and the
4 Vatican.
ihen he became apostolic visitor TO
roiand while Poland was struggling
Tor freedom.
when Poland was freed he became
PaP"i nuncio. He also acted as ac.
r'eSiastcal diplomat in Finland ant
NoS5ia, making an enviablc recorC
OF accomplishment.
Cardinal La Fontaine of Venic,
also is considered. La Fontaine i
" and was made cardinal in 1916.
AIessio Ascaliessi Of Benevent
mas been mentioned among these. Blu
4 0y most he is considered too .youn.
0-she's 49. :. ~