Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-05
The Next Pope
Continued From Page Abs,

stranglehold on the papacy
which has resulted in the elec-
ton Of Italians only for the
last 40 years. Italians land
South Europeans in generaD
would fear q northern person
whose temperament and train
ing might impel him to do
things scrupulously according
to the law. A candidate must
have great fiexibility and UNI
derstanding, Of human nature
before he would be considered.
There Is one non-Italian, to
oe noted later, whose nature
and training make him q
prominent possibility.
Throughout the speculation
there runs certain threads that
quickly reduce the number OF
likely candidates.
The Sacred College of Cardi-
mails has a full strength Of 70.
It was up to this strength in
January. 1858, when Pope Plus
held an important consistory.
BY the time of the Pope's first
serious illness last summer. it
was down to 68. Since then
four cardinals-three Italians
and one South American
have died, leaving the college
with "a members.
Age as Determinont
OF the six who died since
the consistory. the eldest was
81 and the youngest 10. This
emphasizes one factor the car
dinals cannot ignore when they
select a new Pope. The factor
is age. To choose a man for
this arduous job, the electors
must look for a colleague with
a reasonably good life ex-
pectancy.
That is why any cardinal
over 10 has very little chance.
And half the present members
of the college are over this
age. Thus, prospective candi-
dates are Immediately reduced
in number to 80. Of these.
three are 10, two SO, one So
and the remainder-with a
few exceptions-in their early
Cos. The youngest is 48.
While there is understand
able caution about naming a
Pope who is too old, there is
similar-and equally reason
able-concern about electing
one who is too young. If a
young Pope proves strong. his
long pontificate would benefit
the church greatly. But if he
should turn out to be weak, a
long reign would be almost
disastrous. This explains why
men in their early COS are top
heavy favorites.
Nationality, a Big Item
The country in which a cam
didate was born is important.
Italians, for the reasons cited
above, must be rated over
whelming favorites. There are
seven Italians among the 80
cardinals who are 10 or
younger. An Armenian. Greg
DRY Peter XIV Cardinal Aga
gianian,e is regarded as a good
possibility. The two Portu-
guese, two Spanish and two
French cardinals within the
favored age group are not
rated highly as candidates.
All others are longshots.
A candidates health is an
other important factor. The
job being what it is-long
hours, great responsibility, I'M
ceasing pressure-makes the
physical well-being of a pos
sibility a prime consideration.
At least one cardinal, other
wise a leading personality,
will not be in the running
because he is sickly.
knowledge of the Roman
Curia would probably be an
invaluable adjunct for a con-
tender. Since it is physically
impossible for a pontiff to
exercise the full and abso-
lutte jurisdiction in the gov
ernmental affairs of the
church" that is his, he dele
gates part of his authority to
the Curia. This body-con-
sisting of IL congregations,
three tribunals and five Offices
helps the Pope rule the far
flung church.
Technically any male Cath
Ole can be elected Pope.
Actually, the chance of any
one except a cardinal being
chosen are infnitesimal. The
nearest approach to an upset
of this character in centuries
occurred when Achille Ratti
was elected. He was made a
cardinal only a few months
before Benedict XIV died. But
he was a cardinal when chosen.
Other Requirements
Once these basic considera-
tions have been met, those
being considered must then
face other requirements. His
qualifications as a foe of COM
munism, and particularly of
communism in Italy, have
already been noted. It is
without question the top
requisite. Tied in with this
would be the candidates abil-
ity to handle ticklish issues,
such as the worker-priest
problem now plaguing France.
knowledge of the world.
preferably first-hand, is an
other facet. Foremost would
be the candidates familiarity
with the American scene. This
consideration held true In the
past two or three papal cleo
tons. Those well acquainted
with the Vatican believe it will