The Wanganui Chronicle SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1939. THE ELECTION OF THE POPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 47, 25 February 1939, Page 8

The Wanganui Chronicle SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1939. THE ELECTION OF THE POPE

'T’HE forthcoming election of the Pope will centre world interest on that high office. It will he a happy result if an election is made ■which shall enable the Vatican to continue in its path of preserving contacts with all nations. Politics have ever paid a dominating influence in the decision of the College of Cardinals, which elects the Pope. Tlii< is appropriate because, a Pontiff has to deal with countries, and unless he is aware of the push and pull of world influences affecting the nations, he is likely to be personally under a severe handicap. The position in the present election is difficult, indeed, because the world is so very much disturbed. At one time it was possible for those who watched the currents closely to anticipate in which direction various influences would be exercised. It, was always certain that the Italian influence would be exercised m securing the election of an Italian prelate and. while the Roman Question —that is the relationship which should exist between the Italian State and the Vatican —was an unsettled one, it was desirable. indeed, to have an Italian in the Chair of St. Peter. Now that the Roman Question has Been settled, however, and the Vatican is more free of the Italian State than it has been for a long time it may be that Italian ecclesiastical influence may he exercised in support of one who is not of their nation and who promises to be a desirable instrument for promoting the comprehensiveness of the Roman Church. French influence, especially when the Kings of France were th': dominant monarchs of Europe, was exercised to install a Frenchman on the Throne, of the Church, and German kings followed the same policy. To-day. France may seek to promote, an alliance with the Spanish cardinals in order fo preserve a front against the Falangists in Spain and the Fascists in Italy. The worship of the State leads to conflict with the Church as the recent history of Germany has revealed in a painful way. The outspoken criticism from the Vatican of the Hitler regime also adds to the difficulties of the present-day election, and will present the German cardinals with a delicate problem. But that does not exhaust the catalogue of difficulties. Relations have to be re-established with Russia and with Mexico, and in this task it is possible that someone entirely removed from the front scene may emerge and find himself chosen for the Great Role. Adrian the Fourth was the only Englishman to. occupy the Papal chair, but it is not at all improbable that he is to he followed by another of his nation, for England is now the medium for placating Europe and that is I he desire of the. Church to-day as much as that of anyone else. A°ain, American Catholicism has now great influence at the Vatican and represents a new Power in the Ecclesiastical world. It would be quite within the range of possibility to have, a Pope from the New World, although the preponderance of chances is against it. . . Mussolini is said to be awaiting the. election of the I ope before he makes his speech on foreign policy. This delayed action indicates the strength which Mussolini attributes to the Vatican in purely Italian affairs. His position is such that he cannot ignore such an election. The influence of Austria, which before the war was sciy great in Papal elections (the Emperor of Austria was crowned with a crown which had within it the Iron Crown of St. Stephen s, will now be very much less than formerly seeing its position since incorporation within the Reich the position of the Church in Austria has become much more difficult. Spanish influence was, some years ago, sought to be increased by an addition of five to the number of Spanish cardinals, but the request was not acceded to when made. If an English cardinal were, elevated to the Papal Throne it would be a great gesture to the work of the United Kingdom in endeavouring, by its national policy, to lead the whole world in the paths of peace, and it is because of the unity of purpose between the Vatican and the British Government that the hope is entertained in some quarters that there may soon be a follower of Adrian the Fourth.