The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-01
Princes Of Catholic Church In Solemn Concave To Elect New Pope
Election Of New Pope To Spell World Future
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eCOuL1uueQ a 'polity."
 Much depends on the care taken in the election of the monarch. This was realized as long ago as the 18th century, and rules were framed to secure the election of the worthiest candidate and to prevent abuses. These rules have been progressively modified and are now perfected.
 Italian Monopoly
 Only one practice remains to be renounced to establish the universal character of the Papacy. That is the excessive proportion of Italian Cardinals and the custom of electing as matter of course, an Italian as Pope. The last non-Ita1ian Pope was @ Dutchman, who reigned 400 years ago. The way has now been paved for removing this objection, sincere ly felt as grievance by non-Italian Catholics. The creation of the com- pletely independent Vatican City in the Great Consolidation signed by Pope Plus X and Premier Mussolini ushered in new era; and 1t may not be long before we see a non- Italian Pope sitting again on the Throne of St. Peter.
 Actually there was an excellent chance os 8 non-Italan Pope being elected in each of the last two Con- claves. The Belgian Cardinal Mer- cier is known to have polled very large number of votes at the Con- clave of 1914, while the English born Spanish Cardinal, Merry Del Val, headed the lists easily in the first two ballots in the Conclave of 1922.
 This time, however, it is very un- likely that non-Italian will be elected. The strongest such candi- date is the German Cardinal, the Archbishop of Munich, Michael Faulhaber. He has proved himself the most doughty fighter for the rights of the Church in Germany, showing extraordinary courage in the face of the quarrel between Church and State. He is not onD an exceed ingly saintly man, but very able one. Some people feel that he would as Pope, do much to restore har- mony between his country and the Vatican.
 There are others who say that the election of Spanish Pope at this juncture would be desirable as a mark of sympathy with the trials of the Church at the hands of the Leftists Government in Spain. This suggestion cannot be taken very seriously. All the probabilities point to the reelection of an Italian.
 Leading Candidates
 The strongest candidates are Eugenio Pacelli, the Papal Secretary of State; Ildefonso Schuster, Card inal Archbishop of Milan; and Ella della Costa, Cardinal Archbishop of Florence.
 It is very seldom that a Secretary of State is elected Pope. This is what chiefly initiated against the candidacy of Cardinal Merry del Val in 1922. It is felt--and probably rightly that each new Pope should not be committed to the policy of hss predecessor, that he should feel completely free to review the sit- uation with fresh eyes. Nevertheless Cardinal Pacelli has an excellent chance on account of his exception ally wide diplomatic experience and universal popularity. '
 Cardinal Schuster is the favorite. He is one of the youngest among the Cardinals born in 1880--and this is always a recommendation in order to insure that the new Pope will have as many years as possible for developing his particular mis- sion. Cardinal Schuster is an ex- tremely strong candidate in other respects as well. He is adored by his flock as a stern but loving father, is a man of outstanding ability, cultured and experienced. Though he bears German name, he is Roman by birth; and a Ro- man Pope would be popular choice now that the Vatican City is in- dependent and Rome at peace with in herself.
 Popular Choice
 Cardinal della Costa, born in 1872, is the second favorite; and if 1t were 8 matter of popular choice in Italy, he would probably be elected. He is immensely popular, is looked up to in Florence not merely as saintly man but as an actual saint. There are even stories of his performing miracles. He has also been a first class administrator.
 Besides the above, there are Sev- eral others with strong qualifica- tions for the supreme title, perhaps none more than the Cardinal Bishop of Frascati, Francesca Marchetti- Selvaggiani Ca cautious, wise and justly popular prelate with long ex- perience at the center of affairs. He has the reputation of a reformer. He would, 1t is commonly said, like to see the parochial and diocesan map of Italy and of certain other old countries entirely redrawn in &C., cordance with the modern redistri- button of population. This would en- tail suppression of large number of redundant bishoprics and make for greater economy and efficiency. He is also credited with favoring the appointment of a higher proportion of non-Italian Cardinals. He may be considered a special friend of the English-speaking peoples as he not only speaks English well, but is an enthusiastic admirer of English let terS.
 Another name frequently men, toned is Alessio Ascalesi, Cardinal Archbishop of Naples. He would certainly fulfill the prophecy, as- cribed to St. Malachy, which allot- ted the motto of Pastor Angelicus' as the special characteristic of the next Pope. He possesses the coun- tenance of an archangel--one of the most beautiful faces of any man have ever seen--and his reputation with his Neapolitan flock in no way bellies his face. His choice would be a popular one of his mission would be that, above all else, of a peace maker.
 There are six North and South American Cardinals--three of whom