Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-25
THREE IN LEAD
FOR THRONE
Patriarch Of Venice Was
Named by Pope Benedict
as Successor
Speculation Now Centers Around
Cardinals Maffi, La FOntaine
and Ratti. =

| Rome, Jan. So' SPcSuiotaoh vi
the successor of Pope Benedict now
centers around three cardinals
Maffi, La Fontaine and Ratti. The
name of Cardinal La Fontaine, pat
riarch of Venice, has come into prom.
inence through the statement of Ben
edict's private chamberlain Caval-
liere Fagaini, that the late Pope re-
peatedy expressed the hope that La
Fontaine would become the next
Pontiff.
Fagaini declared in an interview
that while Benedict was undergoing
his last illness the Pope designated
the patriarch of Venice as his suc-
ceSsor.
It is conceded, however that the
wishes of Cardinal Merry Del Val
and Cardinal Gasparri probably will
control the majority sentiment in
the Sacred College. It is of interest
to note that the Sacred College now
consist of eight cardinals created
when Leo was Pope, TWENTY-FIVE
when Plus X was Pope and Merry
Del Val was his secretary of state.
and twentv-eight appointed by
Benedict XIV when Gasparri was sec
retary Of state.
Accordingly the attitude tof these
two cardinals may be determining
factors in the conclave.
Immediately the attitude that the
Italian government is supporting, or
will support, any one candidate for
the papcy were tmade in the press
Tuesday, following earlier. hints
that the government favored the
candidacy of Cardinal Maffi, who is
known as very friendly to the royal
family and consistent disciple of
the policies of Benedict XIV.
Reports that Premier Bonomi had
sent out a secret circular supDort-
ing Cardinal Maffi drew indignant
dpnials from the Pouolo Romano
which insisted that the government
would maintain an absolutely neu-
trail attitude. In accordance with
this principle of neutrality. the gov
ernn1ent has nostponed the opening
of parlimanet. which had been
scheduled for the same date as the
beginning -nf. the sSacrea College
conclavo-February 2.
Nearly 100000 people, it is esti-
mated. passed bv the body of the
late Pope Tuesday as it lay on the
magnificent catafaluue in St. Pc
+er's. A requiem mass was sung al
q o'clock in the morning at the
close of which four cardinals in
black vestments passed around the
BODY with the censers.
A repetition of this ceremony viii
occur every dav for nine davs, wher
the eulogv will be delivered ir
Latin bv nriest previously choser
for This office.
Following consultation Of rhv'
sicians. il was decided to conduct
The actual burial services for the
Ponn on Thursday evening.
The question of Beneaict's sue
"assor has nrovoked an intense de-
hate among italian newspaners
which are particularly occnnied il
DISCUSSING the nart to be Mayed II
Tho corrlave bv the foreign cardi
nails. It is feared hv some news
narnrs that tho conclave will tak'
on tho ?tmoerhnre of an allier
council in which the intor"sts o
thn hollirnrnnt nations viii he dis
russod. resulting in an allied an'
! ,rn-Gnrn,an ali"nn,nnt. which
wight hornlnsslv divide tho con
clava and thus aela- the election.
Ono SECTION Of the nress onenl7
DECLARES that IT is simnlv natura
that each government should asl
Ire cardinals to support its nationa
policy.
Memhnrsh;n in the sacred colleg
hos now haen reduced to sivt'
thrnnrh tho death of Card;na
cnrons IF Tnlofn. and tho irahilit'
of Cardinals P"iesco of N"nlns. Mi
+nr1on"n of Florence. Mindezhell
If J,;ehon and 4rcnnerde of Rrazi
to attend oi+hnr because of Hines
ar advanced age