From Our Own Correspondent ROME.
The Lenten Pastoral of Cardinal dalla Costa, Archbishop of Florence. is of more that usual interest since very many think he will be the next Pope.
The Archbishop devotes his pastoral to the nature and the demands of the Catholic Church. Writing of the question that pre. sents itself above all to the Austrian Catholics at the present hour, he speaks of "the substitution for Almighty God of the Race or the State or any political ideology which pretends that the individual, the family and even the Catholic Church must bow before these new deities."
The Cardinal of Florence is the most remarkable figure among the Italian episcopate. He has always without exception remained independent of and apart from party and national disputes. As Bishop of Padua he showed himself keenly preoccupied with social questions, and as Archbishop of Florence he has thrown all his energies and great gifts into pastoral activities.
Candid Writing
His pastoral of a few years ago addressed "To Men" was a piece of very candid writing, with very blunt remarks on the failure of Italian men to frequent the sacraments.
In many ways this saintly prelate resembles Pius X, and in others Leo XIII, who, keeping apart from all the political turmoil of the time, came to the Chair of St. Peter fresh and independent to face the burning and difficult questions of his day.