The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-01-23
NEXT POPE TO
BE AN ITALIAN
is INDICATION
COnclave of Cardinals Called To
Meet in Rome.
Election of New POntiff To Be
Held Feb. End.
TO AVOID EUROPEAN POLITICS
Cardinal Mercier of Belgium
Will Be Candidate.
Are Thirty-One Italian and
Thirty Other Votes.
Election Of New POntiff To Be
Held Feb. End.
TO AVOID EUROPEAN POLITICS
Cardinal Mercier of Belgium
VIII Be Candidate.

Rome. Jan 23-The conclave Of
cardinals to elect a successor to the
late Pope Benedict XIV will be held
February 2. according to the Giornale
d'Italia today.
The Italian government has issued
a circular letter to the powers assur-
ing them that the conclave will have
complete protection and will be as
sured of the utmost independence.
The forthcoming conclave is assured
unprecedented freedom from the en-
tanglements of European politics due
to the fact that Austria's domination
has been removed and Germany's in
fluence greatly reduced Formerly
Austria. being a Catholic country, had
the power of veto at a papaI election
Next Pope italian.
1t is accepted as a foregone conclu-
sion that the next pope Will be an
Italian. The two cardinals. VINO are
believed to have the best chances are
Cardinal Gasparri. papal secretary o.
state, and Cardinal Pietro Mat1l, arch-
bishop of Pisa.
It was pointed out in vatican circles,
however, that Cardinal Gasparrl, IN
the administration of his oftce' mas
offended more than one cardinal
Inc lIalldIS Will nave IAA4- ~
votes in the conclave; the non-ltahans
will have thirty.
If it becomes necessary to choose a
compromise candidate as was IN the
case in 1914, the cardinal-prlest Ales-
sandro Lualdi, archbishop OF Palermo
or Cardinal Petro Lafontaine, patri-
arch of Venice. may be the successful
No Chance For Mercier.
Cardinal Mercier, archbishop of Ma
lines (Belgium) has been mentioned
and he probably will have the sup
port of cardinals from at least some
IF the allied countries, but he proba-
bly would be successfully opposed by
the Gasparri group on the ground that
he overstepped the bounds Of clerical
propriety by his patriotism to Belgium
during the war
Now that France is again repre-
rented at the vatican with a diplomatic
envoy Ambassador JonnarD, the
French are in position OIL some III
fluence politically. III
The election will be watched with
deem interest in the Italian govern
ment for the policies OF the next
sovereign pontiff may determine
whether the reconciliation between
the vatican and the quirinaI is posi-
HE That the Italian government IS
anxious for the reconciliation was
made evident during the pontltt S
final Illness and after his death.
While al the cardinals resident in
Europe are expected to reach Rome
in time for the conclaVe, it is consid-
cred extremely doubtful whether the
American cardinals will find 1t posi-
ble to be present, at least for the
opening of the session, as the date set
is barely ten days away.
Cardinals Maffi, LaFontalne and
Ratti of Pisa. Venice and Milan re-
snect:velv, are the most prominently
mentioned in vatican circles today as
The most likely candidates for the po-
sition as successor to Pope Benedict.
In these circles, Cardinal MatI ap-
parently is a pronounced favorite even
of these three prelates.
American Cardinals Late.
Boston, Jan. 23.-Cardinal O'Con-
nell and his official party will begin
the VOYAGE to Rome tomorrow to par
ticipate in the election of a pope. The
party will sail from New York for
Naples on the steamer President Will
son. and Cardinal O'Connell will have
only eight days to reach Rome before
the conclave opens.
AS Cardinal DOugherty of Phlladel-
phia is in the West Indies for several
days at least, Cardinal O'Connen Will
be the only American with voice
and vote in the election.
Irish Cardinal Leaves Tuesday.
Belfast. Jan. 23.-CardinaI Logue
primate of ireland, has arranged tC
depart for Rome tomorrow.
I Il