The New York herald., 1922-01-30
NEW ITALIAN POPE
SEEN WITHIN WEEK
Elevation of Foreign Cardinal
Would Tend to Dissat-
isfy U. s.
FIRST BALLOT THURSDAY
Sharply Drawn Contest Not
Foreseen by Prelates Now
in Rome.
FIRST BALLOT THURSDAY

ROME, Jan. 29 ASSOCIATED Press) -
The 261st Pontiff of the Roman Church
will be elected by Saturday next. ac-
cordfng to the consensus as expressed
by prelates arriving here. With the
Cardinals attached to the conclave
they expect the decision will be reached
on the third or fourth ballot. The con-
clave opens on Thursday. and from
present indications the work of elect
ing new Pope will be carried on ex-
peditiously.
II do not anticipate a sharply drawn
contest. which some predict" said a
prominent English ecc1esiastic to-day
Z Although there are naturally divergent
views among the Cardinals, these diff
ferences are not irreconcilable, and Il
am confident the sacred college will
be able to agree upon the successor of
Benedict in a relatively short time"
American and English church digni-
taries consider it a certainty the choice
will fall upon an Italian. They believe
the best chances lie with Cardinals
Maffi. Ratti. Lega and La Fontaine.
U. S. Tavors italian.
A prominent English prelate, who
asked that his name be withheld. de-
clared 1t would be a great mistake to
elect foreign Cardinal, as that would
lead to disappointment and dissatisfac-
! ton among countries like the United
States, Great Britain and France, all
of whom probably felt they merited
high office, whereas the selection of
an italian would be acceptable to ALL
This church official expressed the
opinion the new Pope would continue
the policy of Benedict XIV. in re-
q. n,sir d,,< "a
careful to observe the complete inde-
pendence and dignity of the Vatican.
He added:
''The Vatican should be neither the
subject nor the guest Of any Govern
ment, but should be scrupulously neu-
trail and unhampered"
Cardinal Mercier Of Belgium, who has
been referred to as possible candidate
of the Cardinals who favor the election
of non-Italian Pope. said:
There is no need to indulge In vain
conjectures or to count the votes in ad-
vance, but one must wait the DEGREES OF
Providence, and Providence for the last
five centuries has ruled that the Su-
preme Pontiff should be an Italian"
The Belgian prelate did not concur in
the opinion that has been freely ex-
pressed in Vatican circles that never
has foreign Cardinal had such q
cnance OK DelnS eieCteu rope.
Nercier Sees italian Pope.
ut is against all tradition that a
foreigner should be elected" said the
Cardinal 1.-The next Pope certainly
will be an Italian"
Forgive your enemies said the
Cardinal in response to a query whether
he favored closer relations between
the Vatican and the Quirinal. according
to the policy of Cardinal Gasparri. the
Papal Secretary of State. or of the
rirreconcilables on the side of Cardinal
Merry del Val.
1.-THE Lords Prayer the Cardinal
added, says, Forgive us as we forgive
those who trespass against u.s. The
present does not seem g. favorable mo-
ment for reaction. Perhaps, after all,
IL Is possible for the world to live In
peace and friendliness with one an
other"
The correspondent asked the Cardinal
whether in his mention of the Lords
Prayer he included Belgium's late wal
enemies, which also must be forgiven.
The Lord does not appear to have
made any distinction" replied the Cardi-
nal, 'He simply says. Forgive those
who have trcspassed against US
Then, after q pause. the Cardinals
face took on serious expression. "Yes. y
he said. II am sure that includes our
late enemies"
Cardinal Mercier has received many
messages from the United States in
quiring concerning his health. He Is
somewhat annoyed at the report OF his
Illness, and said to-day he never felt
better. Indeed, he looked much healthier
and younger than he did directly after
the armistice.
America in the most endearing terms
exclaiming. The great American ma
tion---a great people. How many good
friends have made there"