Page:On papal conclaves (IA a549801700cartuoft).djvu/207

 Rh entered Conclave with names in circulation as likely candidates. The leader of the so-called Roman party was Cardinal Bernetti, who had been twice Secretary of State. That he himself should be elected Pope never came into question; but, although out of the field as a candidate, he was very forward in it as the active organizer of an opposition against the colleague who had so long and so completely supplanted him in the coveted post of First Minister. The names mentioned as of Cardinals who might be candidates for this party were Gizzi, De Angelis, Soglia, Falconieri, and Mastai Ferretti. Of these Cardinal Gizzi was the best known, and amongst the public, most popular name, for he had the character of an opponent to the late Pope's reactionary system of government; also, in the golden days of the new era, this Cardinal became Secretary of State to Pius the Pope of amnesties and reforming action. De Angelis is the Cardinal who since has made a figure, as Bishop of Fermo, for his hostile attitude to the Italian Government, and consequent deportation to Piedmont. Falconieri had the advantage of being member of a great noble family in Rome, and a