THE NEXT POPE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 179, 1 September 1876, Page 7

THE NEXT POPE.

We (New York ' Tablet') take the folio-wing from our able contemporary, the ' Irish Democrat,' at the same time reminding our readers that its chief interest consists in the sketches it gives of certain cardinals. As to who will be the next Pope, that is known only to the Holy Spirit, -whose is the choice. In such sketches we are surprised not to find any mention of Cardinal Bonaparte : "In view of the advanced age of the Holy Father, people speak of his probable successor. " It is supposed by some persons that the next Pope will be a member of one of the religious orders. Gregory XVI. was a Carnaldolese monk, and made an excellent pope, and the convent-train-ing and probation are judged good things for those who have to rule their brethren. If a Dominican be chosen, there is Cardinal Guidi, a Bolognese, Bishop of Frascati, now residing frequently in the Irish Dominican convent of St. Clemente. "Cardinal Guidi is very learned, has great judgment, and lives a most holy life. If an Augustiniau Cardinal be required, there is Martinelli, aged 46, two years younger than Guidi, and equally noted for piety, learning, and irreproachable conduct. " Cardinal Bilio, of the clerks regular of the Congregation of St. Paul, and aged 46 years, has been often spoken of as likely to be made Pope. He is the author of the famous Syllabus. "Borromeo, a cardinal-deacon, of the age of 46, belongs to the noble house which had for its noblest member St. Charles Borromeo, of Milan. Cardinal Edoardo Borromeo walks worthily after the pattern set him by St. Charles Borromeo. He -was almost isolated from his own family for a time, because he opposed their revolutionary tendencies and so-called liberalism. Borromeo was one of the private chamberlains at the Vatican, and served the offices of Maestro di Camera and Maggiordomo. "The cardinal, however, who is moat frequently mentioned as the successor of Pius IX. is Sisto Riario Sforza, a Neapolitan, who, at the age of 35, was made by Gregory XVI. Archbishop pf Naples, and, when 36 years old, -n as created by the same Pontiff a priest cardinal, with the title of St. Sabino. He was the last cardinal created by Gregory, who, it is said, predicted he would one day occupy the Pontifical throne. The first cardinal ever created by Gregory was Lambruschini, his Secretary of State, who, in the conclave held on Gregory's death, had at one scrutiny more votes than Mastai Ferretti. Riaiio Sforza was at one time one o Jthe four principal chamberlains to Pope Gregory, and is of high rank, being by birth a duke. He possesses a princely fortune, which he spends in doing good. His influence in Naples is immense, and he can do almost what be will wi^

the population. (Attached to the old dynasties, he yet holds' aloof from politics, devoting himself singly to his ecclesiastical duties. He worked harmoniously with Vigliani, the present Lord Chancellor or Guardasigilli of Victor Emanuel, when Vigliani was Prefect of Naples. In his daily life he is a model bishop and a model cardinal, and doubtless, if Providence shall so appoint, will do his duty as a model pope."