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A King Over Kings

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 15, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 28.

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A King Over Kings

DURING the past few months, there has been much said in this country by Catholic writers and speakers in opposition to the claim that the pope of Rome was a factor of interference in the temporal affairs of nations. While the history of the past disproves their assertions in toto, a recent incident in disproof is interesting because of its proximity to the time of these declarations. Long ago the head of the Roman Church placed an embargo on the visits of Catholic rulers to the king of Italy. The pope, because of his claim of temporal sovereignty over the papal states, considered it a matter of personal offense, as well as an act of disloyalty for a Catholic sovereign to recognize the sovereignty of Italy’s king by visiting him. For that reason the kings of Spain and Portugal and the emperor of Austria do not call on the king of Italy. For that reason also the emperor of Germany, after visiting the king of Italy, must return to the German embassy in Rome (technically German territory) before he will be received by the pope. In 1881 King Humbert of Italy made an official visit to Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria. The emperor, being a Catholic, has never returned the visit. Now, in order to enhance the stability of the triple alliance, Emperor William of Germany has been seeking to induce the emperor of Austria to return the visit of the Italian king. He has not been successful. Concerning the matter a despatch from Rome to the Washington Post, dated May 29, speaks in the following manner:—
The opposition of the Vatican could not be overcome, but the idea was to get the emperor to write to the king of Italy that old age prevented his making the long journey to Rome, thus giving the Italian king an opportunity for offering to receive him in some other city.
The scheme failed, as the emperor would not consent, basing his refusal on the ground that it was his duty as a Catholic sovereign not to oppose the wishes of the pope.
So far as the emperor of Austria is able, it must be understood that he rules his realm in accordance with the wishes or commands of the Vatican. The same is true, then, of other Catholic rulers. They do not rule on their own initiative, but as it may please the head of the Roman Church. Thus, as far as permitted, the pope makes himself a king of kings. To this position he has ever aspired.