Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-30
PREL.ATES SAY
new Pope WILL
Be An ITALIAN
Cardinal Mercier Says
Against All Tradition
to Elect a Foreigner
EARLY ELECTION
Expected that Conclave viii Reach
Decision Soon Without Sharply
Drawn Contest.

Rome, Jan. 30.-The two hundred
and sixty-6rst Pontiff of the Roman
Church will be elected by Saturday
next, according to the consensus of
opinion as expressed by the prelates
arriving here with the Cardinals at
tached to the conclave, they expect
that the decision will be reached on
the third or fourth ballot. The opens
on Thursday, and from present indi-
cations the work of electing a new
Pope will be carried on expeditiously.
II do not anticipate a sharply drawn
contest, which some predict" said a
prominent English ecclesiastic today.
although there are naturally diverg-
ent views among the Cardinals, these
differences are not irreconcilahle. and
| am confident that the Sacred College
will be able to agree upon the success
sor of Benedict in a relatively short
time"
American and English church dig
nitaries consider it certainty that
the choice will fall upon an Italian.
They believe that the best chances lie
with Cardinals Mafi, Ratti, Lega and
La Fontaine.
A prominent English prelate, who
asked that his name be withheld, said
Il would BIZ atgraaSsa mis- take to eject
a foreign Cardinal, as that would lend
to disappointment and dissatisfaction
among countries like the United
States, Great Britain and France, all
of whom probably felt that they merit
ed high office, whereas the selection
of an Italian would be acceptable to
all.
This church official expressed the
opinion that the new Pope would con-
tinue the policy of Benedict XIV in
the relation with the Quirinal, but
would be careful to observe the COM
plete independence and dignity of the
Vatican. He added:
"'rhc Vatican should be neither the
subject nor the guest of any govern
ment, but should be scrupulously neu-
tral and unhampered."
Neither France Spain nor Austria.
he asserted, would attempt to eXer-
else the right to veto the conclave's
choice, which these countries have
heretofore enjoyed.
The next Pope is certain to be an
Italian, Cardinal Mercier, Primate of
Belgium said.
There is no need to indulge in
vain conjectures or to count the votes
in advance" said the Cardinal, "but
one must wait the DEGREES Of provid-
ence, and providence for the past five
centuries had ruled that the Supre-
me Pontiff should be an Italian"
The distinguished Belgian Prelate
did not concur in the opinion that has
been freely expressed in Vatican
circles that never has a foreign Car
dlnal had such a chance of being
elected Pope"
ut is against all tradition that a
foreigner should be elected" said the
Cardinal. The next Pope certainly
Will be an Italian"
1t was suggested that the last fore
Ign Cardinal TO the Supreme Pontifi-
cation was the Archbishop of Liege
undoubtedly you have heard, your
emlnence, that the name of another
Belgium Cardinal is being prominent
~ mentioned for the coming con-
clave." he was told.
"Oh. YOU must not think of that
replied Cardinal Mercier. "You must
not believe it. 1t is preposterous. ]
never thought of that before. Prov
ldence will decide.