The Pope's Interest in America
The pope has decided that his delegate to the United States, Mgr. Martinelli, shall remain in the United States until 1902, notwithstanding the fact that he has been elevated to the office of cardinal. This is said to be the first time that a cardinal has remained in charge of an “apostolic delegation,” the invariable practise having been to recall him within one month after his appointment. The papal secretary of state declares that this is because the pope desires to emphasize the extraordinary importance which he attaches to the maintenance of the best possible relations with the United States Government, and his special interest in the growing Catholic population of the republic. In view of the revolt in Catholic France against clericalism, the papal see is turning to the United States; and who can say that the United States has not, within the months past, given much reason for the growing hopes of the declining pontiff?