The Washington herald., 1922-02-07
REJOICING IN ROME
Father Ratti Recent Vati-
can Priest, 65 Years
Old, and Rotund.
MAY CONTINUE
LIBERAL POLICIES
Made Trip to New Repub-
lie of Poland During
Trying 1918 Period.

pie priest in the Vatican horarS-
Two years ago he had risen to be
one of the thousands Of bishops in
the flock Of Benedict XIV. Less than
a year ago. in April. he became
Archbishop of Milan
Two months later he received the
red-hat membership in the college
Of cardinals
Today he is Pope Plus XI. cl:n5en
on the seventh ballot of the secret
conclave at which the sacred college,
after three days OF fruitless voting,
named him the 261st pontiff Of the
Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Plus M Is IS years of age
In contrast to the frail form Of Ben
edfct, he has a powerful frame,
breathing vitality and strength Not
ed as an Alpine climber and an au-
thority on that exercise, his Is the
rugged health that should prove a
valuable asset during his technical
imprisonment within the Vatican.
Observers look for a continuation
OF the liberal policies of Benedict
during the coming pontificate. As
Cardinal Ratti. the new pontin was
a supporter Of the Gasparri group
in the sacred college and is consid-
cred well disposed toward the 1tal-
ian government 1t Is believed that
his reign viii see the breach between
state and church healed-unless there
fs a radical departure from the pol
icy under which great progress was
made by Benedict Xv.'
widespread rejoicing followed an
nouncemeat Of his election to the
throne OF St Peter. The disappoint-
ed thousands who turned away from
the plaza outside the Vatican Sun
day returned in full force Monday
morning and were at last rewarded
at 1880 o'clock by a pun of white
smoke issuing from the chimney OF
the Sfstine Chapel. q signal that the
church once more had a supreme
leader.
shortly afterward the head of the
cardinal deacons appeared on a
balcony outside the Vatican and con-
frmed the election of Cardinal
Ratti.
Pope Plus began his pontificate by
breaking one precedent Instead OF
appearing on a balcony inside of
ST. Peters to bestow his blessing
upon the thousands OF worshippers
waiting for his election. he showed
himself to the crowds on a balcony
overlooking St Peters Square, CIV
ing three blessings to the people
below.
pope Plus XI was born in Milan
and studied at the Lombard College
in Rome. as a fellow student Of
Cardinal Lualdi, Archbishop of Pal
ermo. He taught for a while in the
seminary at Milan and later was
70 he An1hFnEian IL
brary in the Vatican.
In 1918 Benedict sent him to Po-
land or a mission to the new re-
public. Under extremely delicate
and dificuit circumstances he COM
rIeted his work with remarkable
eficiency, and returned to become
Archbishop of Milan.
Coronation to BE Set.
The new pontiff will choose the
time and place for his coronation,
which is now the concluding i'm
pressiye ceremony of those sur
rounding the death of one Pope and
election Of another. He Is expected
10 select either a Sunday or a holi-
day for the rite, and either ST
Peters or the Sistine Chapel will be
the scene of his crowning.
Cardinal O'Connell. Of Boston,
failed to arrive in Rome in time to
participate in the final balloting.
ALTHOUGH a special train was placed
at his disposal from Naples, where
he landed early in the morning. and
he was rushed to Rome as rapidly
as possible, announcement Of the
election of Plus XII had been made
an hour before his. arrival.
Cardinal O'Connell later went to
and raraivad the po
blessing from the new Pope. He
was enthusiastically greeted every
where by the italian citizens and
church -dignitaries.
Cardinal O'Connell was met at
Naples by. Mgr. Bernard Mahoney.
acting director of the American COL
Iege at Rome, and by Frs. Haberlin
Snlafn and Slatich. The cardinal is
said to have brought an American
Offering to the Pope estimated at
1000, 900 lire.
In an interview at Naples. Cardinal
O'ConnelI paid a splendid tribute to
Benedfct xv, declaring that his
death aroused the most profound
sorrow In America.
First Benedietion.
One of the most significant state
ments issued since the announce
ment of Cardinal Ratti's elevation
came late today from an Official of
the vatican. who said:
.Pope Plus xI. while making full
reservation in behalf of the inviol-
able rights OF the church and Holy
See, which he Is sworn to defend.
impaired his first benediction from
the external loggia Of St. Peters.
with the intention to reach not only
those in st. Peters Square. but all
Rome. all Italy, all nations, and
ali peoples, carrying with 1t the hope
of that universal pacification which
the world ardentiy desires"
PARIS, Feb. 6-The election of
Cardinal Rstti was greeted enthusi-
astically Throughout France. for 1t
is understood that Pope Plus xI is
a warm friend of the republic and
Coutinnsd on Pare Three