Evening star., 1922-01-21
Gasparri Named
- AS Likely
Successor.
PAPAL SECRETARY
TO BE SUPPORTED
Cardinals De Lai and
Merry Del Val Also
Mentioned.
By the Associated Press.

oy the Associated PreSs.
In the speculation as to who will be
the successor Of Benedict the most
prominently mentioned is the secre-'
tary of state. Cardinal Gasparri. His
election would represent an indorse-
ment Of the policy of Benedict in the
last seven years during the grave
period Of the world war. Cardinal
Gasparri, who has also the position
OF chamberlain Of the church, Is in
trusted with the direction Of the holy
see during the interregnum from the
death of the Pope to the election of
his successor.
Another member of the sacred COL
lege who is considered as a probable
choice is Cardinal De Lai, secretary Of
the Concistorial Congregation, which
deals chiefly with the selection and
appointment of archbishops and bish-
ops throughout the world, except the
countries still under the jurisdiction
OF Propaganda Eide. The election of
Cardinal De Lai would crafty the de-
sire of the sacred college to have
again, as under Plus Y, Pope above
all religious, that is who would not
play such a prominent part in world
politics as Benedict XIV and Leo XIII.
Merry del Val Mentioned.
Among the cardinals living in Rome
there Is another who has a consid-
cradle following and whose election
would be new departure. since for
several centuries there has not been
a foreign Pope on the chair of st.
feter s, name.y, Cardinal .nerry del
Val, who was secretary OF state un-
der Plus x. Cardinal Merry del Vars
parents were Spanish and his brother
Is Spanish ambassador to the court
OF St. James, but he has resided al
his father was Spanish ambassador
to the Vatican. He speaks iuently
SIX languages anu his eIec.iun .,s
Pope would not hurt the suscepti-
form the majority Of the sacred col
lege.
Of the cardinals living outside Of
Rome. the selection of the Archbishop
of Pisa. Cardinal Mafi, an astrono-
mse and most 2lops s5nls i on
sacred college decide to select the
new Pope among the cardinals not
residing in the Eternal city.
Was Political Pope.
Benedict XIV from the very begin
ming of his pontificate showed that
he would above all be q political
Pope, following the policy Of his early
friend and counselor, Cardinal Ram
polla and Of Leo XIII Plus X died of
grief for not having been able to
prevent the world war and Benedict
XIV expended such energy in trying
to stop or mitigate the conflict that
many people, including several Amer
ican archbishops and bishops who ap-
preached him afterward, think that
the efforts made in this endeavor
seriously affected his constitution.
Like Leo XIII, he was most anx-
ious to establish diplomatic relations
with all the countries. whether
having in Rome representatives. Of
the entire world, with the exception
of the Scandinavian states in Europe
and the United States in the Ameri-
can continent
Shows Sympathy fer U. 3.
While negotiations were proceeding
for the establishment of papa1 nun
clio at Toxic, Benedict XIV failed to
have an internuncio appointed at Pc
king through the opposition Of the
papal representative in China might
affect their right of protecting the
Catholics in the far east-France was
helped in that occasion, 1t Is said
here. by the United States, which OBJ
leClSu " iAC oppOihSuASAS VI NA6h.
Peprelli as internuncio in China on
account Of his alleged anti-American
feelings as shown while apostolic
delegate to the Philippines.
Benedict Nv always showed great
desire for the closest relations with
America, and left nothing unattempt-
ed to show his sympathy in anything
affecting the United States. This was
shown especially ON the occasion of
the sinking Of the Lusitania, when the
Pope, notwithstanding his strict neu
trality in the war-he preferred to
call it "impartiality''-tel to
the kaiser his adherence of the ac-
ton which had shocked the civilized
world.
Saw Hope i'm America.
The Pope always regarded the
United States as a country which
would play an important part In
bringing about the pacification of Eu-
rope and through Mgr. Bonzano, the
apostolic delegate in Washington, he
sent on several occasions during the
recent war messages to President
Wilson expressing the feeling that
America might assist in conciliating
the belligerent countries.
His most important EFFORT in favor
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lAIlfI 0lIcn Dill Tn Div