STEPPING TOWARD THE THRESHOLD.
CARDINAL GOTTI, who has been Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of Bishops and the Regular Discipline, has been appointed Prefect of the Propaganda. This is the most important post in the gift of the pope, and is universally considered as indicating that Leo XIII. desires him to succeed him in the pontificate. It is claimed by the superstitious that a certain famous prophecy clearly designates Cardinal Gotti for that post, as eight centuries ago Malachy9O'Morgair, Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland, wrote a book, which was discovered after his death, and which contained a motto for every pontiff from the year 1143 until the end of the Papacy. These people say that the prophecies have been verified. There are mottoes for only eight pontiffs, more in the Papacy after the successor of the present pope. Then, says Malachy, “the earth will pass away,” unless the popes are cut off as in ancient times. This cuts off all opportunity for us to ascertain whether his prophecy is fulfilled or not, and if so to insert it in our list of coincidences!