p. 1 | Papal Power in Italy

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 11, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 43.

Papal Power in Italy

PAPAL Italy will not make friends with the pope. This is bemoaned by Archbishop Corrigan, of New York, in a pastoral letter to his diocese. He speaks of the immense moral power of the Papacy, as manifested in the arbitration between Spain and Germany, and also of the expressed desire of the pope, Leo XIII., that amicable relations should exist between the Italian Government and the Vatican. Of course this means temporal sovereignty of the pope. He complains because the work of petitioning the government was stopped by the power of law. The sentiment in favor of the temporal power of the pope was evidently a surprise to the Italian Government. Not less than 500,000 signed the petitions, when their circulation was forbidden by law. The Papacy has a strong following in Italy who are in favor of the restoration of temporal power, disguise it as the government may. But to speak of the moral power of the Papacy is like speaking of the whiteness of black. What about the moral power of the pope in the matter of Ireland and England? The principles of the Papacy are craft and policy forever.