The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-01-23
OFFICIAL NOTICE
OF POPE'S DEATH
Apostolic Delegate to Washing
ton Sends Letters to All
Bishops in America.
tay The Associated Press,

WASHINGTON, Jan. 22.-Fhe fol-
lowing is the text of the letter which
the apostolic delegate to Washington
has sent to all the bishops in the
United States to inform them of the
death of Benedict XIV:
fright Reverend and Dear Bishop:
"In profound sorrow I write to in
form you that our holy father, Pope
Benedict XIV, died this morning at
6 q. m.
while we bow in submission to
the viii of God in calling to Himself
the visible head Of His church we
cannot but mourn the loss of this great
ties, did so much in behalf of religion,
humanity and peace.
Brief as his pontification was, he
lived to see a better appreciation of
his attitude toward the warning ma
tions and of his impartiality, his anxi-
ETY. to end the struggle and his cease
less efforts bring relief wherever it
was needed. Now that the heart which
went out to all the people is stilled in
death, now that the arms which would
have closed mankind in their embrace
are folded forever, the world must pay
tribute to his wisdom and his spirit
of justice and charity.
THE church in America will realize
that it has lost a father who was ever
concerned for its welfare. To the
bishops especially of the United
states, the death Of Pope S3enedict will
be the cause of deepest grief. His
interest in their labors was a source
of constant encouragement, while his
unfailing kindness drew them to him
in the bonds of love and devotion.
with their bishops, the clergy and
faithful will join in the prayer that
goes up from the heart of the Catholic
church to implore for Pope Benedict
a place Of refreshment, light and
peace. in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ whom he so Loyalty served.
UNITED with you in the sense Of our
common bereavement, am, with SEN
timents of esteem,
Sincerely yours in XT,
GIOVANNI BONzANO,"
Apostolic Delegate .
Cardinal Pedro Gasparri. PapaI Secre-
tary of State and "Chamberlan of the
Holy Roman Churches" is being spoken
of here as the successor to the seat Of
Cardinal Gasparri has been in charge of
the Papal household and of the entire
church since o'clock this morning
His presence at the helm of the Holy
See during the interim insures the con-
tinuity of the policy followed by the
Vatican since the advent Of Benedict
XIV.
In his responsible position, q chamber
lain during the obsequies OF the Pope
which last nine days, and .luring the
conclave, Cardinal Gasparri win be as
sisted by the deans of the three orders
in which the Cardinals are grouped,
namely, Cardinals Bishops, Cardinals
Priests, and Cardinals Deacons. The
plenum of the sacred college, or it's
authorized maximum membership, can
not surpass 20, but now the Cardinals
existing are only 81 of whom 81 are
Italians and 80 foreigners. There are
only six cardinal bishops, to whom are
entrusted the six dioceses Immediately
around Rome.
The selection of a new Pope will have
unusual interests for Italy, it was de-
cIared here, because in view Of the de-
cidedly eonciliatory attitude taken by
Benedict. there will be speculation as to
whether his policy win be continued.
If Cardinal Gasparri should be the next
Pope a continuation of the same policy
would be insured, but another Cardinal
might have different ideas with regard
to the old standing problem of the rela-
tions between. church and state in Italy.
Cardinal Gasparri, according to the
general opinion, has the greatest chances
Of success, but an old Roman proveS%b
saws that che who enters the conclave
as Pope comes out of it as Cardinal" ="
This was borne out in the last three con-
claves when Leo XIII, Plus x and Bene-
dict XIV were elected contrary to the
expectation of the majority.