The death of Cardinal Rampolla at the age of seventy
removes the greatest of the statesmen-clerics of the Vatican during the last thirty years, with the sole exception of Leo XIII. The son of a noble Sicilian house, he entered the office of Secretary of State on his ordination as priest, and after giving proofs of his diplomatic ability as eouncillor to the Nuncio, and subsequently as Nuncio in Spain, was created cardinal in 1887. For fifteen years be held the office of Secretary of State, and, if not the direct inspirer of Leo XIIL's policy of conciliation, was at least its most efficient instru- ment. On the death of Leo XIII. be was the strongest candidate for the Papal chair, his rejection being due largely to the intervention of the Austrian Government, but also to his resolve not to accept the honour unless it was the result of a virtually unanimous choice. Under Pius X. Cardinal Rampolla's influence declined, though he was a member of ninny of the Congregations, including that of Foreign Affairs, and, according to the writer of the obituary notice in the Times, Pius X. and his Secretary took no decision without consulting him.
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