The Idaho recorder., 1922-02-17

cent years nave remained Virtual pfls-
oners until their deaths.
American Cardinals Too Late.
Three cardinals from the new world.
though making all speed TO Rome.
were too late 10 lake part In the cleo
ti0n Of the new pope. Cardinal O'Con-
nell Of Boston landed in Naples at
o 80 this morning from the steamer
President Wilson and left at once FOR
this city ON special train which was
arranged for him by the Italian gov
ernineni. Cardinals Dongherty of
Philadelphia and Begin of Quebec
are expected TO arrive here ON Thurs
day. The absence ~ these three was
deeply regretted by the members of
the sacred college for they especially
desired that America should be repre-
sented In the solemnities al the an
nouncement 0f the new pontiff even
II It's cardinals could not take part
in the election. Before the conclave
opened IL had been rumored that ii
might be delayed to enable the Amer
lean cardinals to be present, but this
was found 10 he inadvisable.
The new pontiff will be crowned
within the next week and cardinals
now en- route for Rome who were I'M
able To get there in time for the con-
ciave election, will be at hand for the
elaborate coronation rites.
The popes date their pontIficates
from the day they assume their tiara
rather than from the date of election
by the conciave Of cardinals.
by taking the name OF Plus the new
pontiff has shown his preference for
designation that has been favorite
with occupants of the chair of st. Pc
ter. The pontiff before Benedict XIV
was Plus X. He occupied the Vatican
from 1908 to 1914.
Seven Ballots Taken.
BailOting for the new pope began
Friday morning. Two ballots We're
taken Friday. two on Saturday, and
two on Sunday. The regular morning
ballot was taken today. as usual
As ballot after ballot was taken and
the black smoke announced mo
choice" the belief became fixed that
neither Of the powerful factions of the
sacred college would be able to win
over the other and that a compromise
candidate seemed certain. When the
weekend passed without choice on
Sunday interest grew to fever heat.
The biggest crowd since the cOnclave
opened was gathered In the great
square thanking st. Peters. There
was feeling OF expectancy the dead
lock was about to be broken. probably
through compromise
Before the conciave last Thursday
the name OF Cardinal Ratti had been
mentioned more or less conspicuously
as the candidate Of the reconciliation
faction headed by Cardinal Gasparri.
papal secretary Of state. Cardinal
Gasparri and his adherents pledged
themselves to carry out the political
policy OF the late Benedict XIV. which
was to renew friendly relations with
the quirinal without impairing the in
ternational prestige Of the church.
II WAS understood that Cardinal
Maffi. archbishop of Pisa, was favored
by the nonreconcilable faction, led by
Cardinal Merry del Val.
Was Papai Nuncio To Poland.
Cardinal Rattl was for several
years papal nuncio In Poland. where
his discharge Of important ecclesias-
teal functions, when the Polish aues-
tion became acute earned for him the
esteem OF Benedict XIV. and the
gratitude OF Vatican authorities. II
was because of his service that the
red hat was conferred upon him on
June 10. 1921, when similar honor
was bestowed on Cardinal laurent.
Cardinal Ratti was born In Italy on
Oct. II, 1853. For many years he was
librarian of the Ambrosian library
and archives at Milan. Later he be-
came librarian of the Vatican. In this
position he remained until the new
republic OF Poland established official
diplomatic relations with the Vatican.
at which time Ratti was appointed
archbishop and was assigned to Po-
land as the representative OF the holy
see.
That country was then torn with
the arrangements from church
bsoukht by tie COniInunlStiC
propaganda from soviet Russia. Arch
bishop Ratti counteracted the spread
of radicalism. He also won the es-
teen OF Polish Catholics by his ef-
forts In behalf Of destitute children
orphaned by the war.
Cardinal Ratti as the archbishop of
Milan presided over one Of the most
important archdioceses In Italy. The
city being great Industrial center.
one Of Its main requirements Is that
the cardinal possesses thorough
knowledge of political and socia,
problems. He is big physically and Is
reputed to have liberal tendencies.
Confined to the Vatican.
The pope upon his election be-
comes virtual prisoner In the Vatican,
for in 1870 II was decreed by Plus
IN that a pope must never pass its
confines.
This decree was a result of the
first definition of the legal status Of |
the Vatican. The exact determination |
Of the legal position is furnished hy |
the law Of guarantees of Nav IL |