Evening star., 1939-02-12

the post, which demands a vigorous
person. He is Ct.
A cardinal slightly younger who
is known in the United States is
Eugenio Pacelli. 63, who. as papal
secretary of state, occupies a posi-
ton of such importance that almost
automatically he must be consid-
cred likely choice for the high post.
Cardinal Pacelli visited the United
States in the fall of 1886, spent a
day in Washington, was the guest
of the President and toured the
country by air.
Has Shown Ability Already.
He is papal camerlengo, the same
position held by Leo XIII before
his election. He has already shown
his ability in dealing with the Ger
mans. One of his diplomatic tri-
umphs was the negotiation of a
concordat between Protestant Prus-
sia and the Holy See. in 1929 His
elevation to a cardinalate was in
reward for this work. He was made
nuncio to the new German republic
in 1920 Plus XI summoned him to
Rome in 1880
Pacelli has been tireless worker
for world peace. He never ceased to
preach it in Germany, and it was
his insistent theme in his talks in
the United States. Since the arrival
of the Nazis at the command of
Germany, he has adopted a stern
attitude In 1885 Pacelli sent a
message of congratulation to Arch
bishop Schultz of Cologne on the
latters silver jubilee as bishop.
In the message were phrases
which the Nazis interpreted as a
virtual command to all Catholic
bishops in Germany to challenge
the validity of Hitlers neo-pagan
ideas. Within a week there were
retaliations, chiefly wholesale ar
rests of nuns and monks on charges
of violating German currency laws.
Later in the same year Pacelli
warned more than 25O,OOO pilgrims
at Lourdes, France, that the church
never would make peace with those
enemies possessed by superstition
of race or blood" The Vatican did
not deny that this reference was in
tended for the Nazis.
Pacelli has had experience with
Spain, too. When the Spanish
monarchy was overthrown, the
church in Spain was in a precarious
position, after centuries in the
ascendency For several years ne
gotlations between Vatican City and
Madrid hung fire Pacelli was head
of all diplomatic operations for the
Vatican. In June, 1884, the nego-
tiations reached the "modus VII
vendi'' stage when the foreign min
lister of Spain called on Pacelli in
Rome.
But attempts to carry the parleys
beyond that status failed. There was
a complete break in 1887. when in
the midst of Spain's civil war the
Vatican City exchanged ENJOYS with
the Franco insurgents.
Aside from Pacelli, the Italians
around whom speculation centers
during conversations about the next
Pope are the seven cardinal arch
bishops and the Cardinal Patriarch
of Venice. Those prelates whose
Sees are in the boot of Italy, the
more southern archbishops, are Luigi
Lavltrano, age IS, Palermo: Alessio
Ascalesi, SO, Naples; Ella dalla Costa,
ST, Florence.
Dalla Costa Famed in War.
The fame of Cardinal Dalla Costa
rose high during the World War.
He was at the time archpriest of the
Cathedral of Schio. The town was
the center of supplies OF the mill
tary lines at Rasubio, and Father
Dalla Mosta. a rigid, ascetic char
acter, attracted the love of the
soldiers and the admiration of the
state for his hard work Bishop
Rodoli of Vicenza praised him, and
the Italian government decorated
him.
Dalla Costa became Archbishop of
Florence in 1881. When he was ad-
mitted to the College of Cardinals
two years later he allowed only one
celebration-the ancient banquet for
the poor. He showed his humanity
by not requiring that the poor at the
banquet shave their boards and he
permitted them to talk while they
ate-two blessings customarily de-
MED the recipients of their particular
charity. The cardinal is noted for
his. vast learning, his despisal of
wealth and his great knowledge OF
the scriptures.
Luigi Cardinal Lavitrano ct