TAE FEW POPE.

Waikato Times, Volume XI, Issue 885, 23 February 1878, Page 3

TAE FEW POPE.

The correaponeent of the ' Times' at Rome writes thus of Cardinal Pecci (now elected Popp) ou his appointment as Oamerlengo m September last. Giovaccbmo Pecci was born on the 2d of March, 1810, at Carpi neto, near Anagui, of an old patrician family. He was m favour with Pope Gregory XVI., m whose household he was for some time as a prelate and private refrendary, and who employed him as his delegate, first at Benevento, then at Spoleto and Perugia, where he did good work m ridding some of those districts of the prevailing scourge of brigandage. Pecci was subsequently sent as Nuncio to Brussels, created Archbishop of Perugia, and was one of the candidates for whom the old Pope reserved the honour of the purple when he died m 1846. Pecci remained, however, a Cardinal m petto m spite of the good offices of the King of the B-'lgians. who solicited the new Pope. Pius JX., to fu'fill (he bfdevolent intentions of his predecessor. Seven years elapsed baf'ore Pius IX.. came to the resolution to d» j justice to the candid >te of Gregorr's choice and this was owing to the ill will of Cardinall Antonelli, who •Ireaded the influence of an able man over the Pope's mind. At last, on the 19th of December, 1853, Pecci received the Hat, but for many yaars he was left m the cold at his see of Perugia, the Cardinal-Secretary ot State standing m the way of any preferment which might bring a dreaded rival too near the Vatican. In 1874, we are told, upon the death of Cardinal Barnaho. Prefect of the PrpogaGda, an English Prelate suggested Pecci to the Pope as a man competent to fill the vacant place. 'Pecci,' pleaded the Englishman, 'is so learned a man and so good a Bishop.' 'Just so,' broke m the Pope, *an excellent Bishop, and we will leave him to take care of his diocese.' More recently another opening occurred, Upon the office of Pro-Datario becoming vacant by the death of Cardinal VanoicellCasodi, Pecci relied on his appointment, and, took up his quarters m Rome m the Falcoaieri Palace ; but he was again unsuccessful, the place being given to Cardinal Pacconi, and it is only now, since the removal of Antonelli by death, that Pecci obtained free access to the Popo, who has chosen him as Cardinal Oamerlengo - , ■« . J.V The papers represent Pecci as a tniii man, with a cold expression of countcn; ance, a fine habitual smile, almost ironical, and a mixture of pride and acuteneßs, with a very deliberate and somewhat abrut style of address. They give him credit for a deep knowledge of the world, and great dexterity m the management of its affairs.