The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

156
HISTORY OF THE POPES.
An addition to the College of Cardinals was looked for all
the more eagerly at Ash Wednesday, 1568, because the next
creation was likely to be of decisive importance at the next
Papal election. The fact that no less than six friars were
named among those upon whom his choice was expected to
fall is very significant of the idea which men had of Pius V.^
The rumours, however, came to nothing. ^ Ash Wednesday
had brought only disappointment, when suddenly, on March
24th, there came news of the nomination of four Cardinals ;
those chosen were the Spaniard, Diego de Espinosa, the
Frenchman, Jerome Souchier, and the two Italians, Antonio
Carafa and Paolo della Chiesa.^ The story was current in
Rome that the Pope had told none of them of his decision
but that only a few da5^s before he made up his mind he had
ordered prayers in the churches and convents for an important
matter concerning the Church.* The unexpected step did not
fail to excite opposition ; Cardinal Mula made objections,
while the French ambassador at once went to the Vatican,
accompanied by Rucellai, to demand the withdrawal of the
nomination of Souchier. The Pope, however, rejected the
demand unhesitatingly, whereupon the French ambassador
withdrew with the remark that Pius V. was too partial to the
1 *Avviso di Roma of February 7, 1568, Urb. 1040, p. 485,
Vatican Library. Corresp. dipl., II., Ixxvii. seq. On January
10, 1568, Arco showed himself on the whole well informed as to
the candidates. For Germany, the Archbishop of Treves or of
Salzburg, or Canisius, was to be nominated, for Spain Espinosa, for
France Souchier or Pelleve, for Rome Carafa, Chiesa, Cesi,
Melchiori (Bishop of Macerata). Peretti, Giustiniani, the General
of the Augustinians, Paolo d'Arezzo, and Pavesi (Archbishop of
Sorrento). On February 14 Arco added Aldobrandini and
Rusticucci to his list. Canisii Epist., VI., 731 seq.
2 *Avviso di Roma of February 14, 1568, Urb. 1040, p. 487,
Vatican Library.
* *Avviso di Roma of March 27, 1568, ibid. 493. Arco, March
27, 1568, Canisii Epist., VI., 732.
379.
* Graziani to Tomicio, March 27, 1568 in Mai, Spicil., VIII,,