CARDINAL RAPHAEL MERRY DEL VAL 315 



distinguished visitors to Rome took into consideration the 

 petty poHtical intrigue and opposition to the Holy Father 

 which they were unconsciously assisting and fomenting when 

 those incidents occurred. Later events and cooler judgment 

 have shown the complete wisdom of the position then as- 

 sumed by Cardinal Merry del Val. 



The Cardinal Secretary of State is a man who has the 

 qualities which one admires in a great statesman and an active, 

 thorough-going administrator of the affairs of a great Church. 

 As time goes on we believe that his fame and abilities will 

 increase, and his personal devotion, uprightness and faith will 

 make him stand high among those on whom the Church has 

 relied to uphold the hands and the courage of the Sovereign 

 Pontiff in his government of the Church throughout the world. 



