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Show DIPLOMAT OF THE VATICAN I i No man porhaps occupies a moro prominent place In tho International limelight today than tho cardinal secretary of state of tho Holy Seo, mfH his omlnenco Rafael Merry del Vol, whoso ffiwjf, M diplomatic dlsputo with Spain has engaged JBaffl'' I& world-wide interest. vfflYMrgm, igge f Tne cardinal is a Londoner by birth and tho yvl h) blood of Colt, Drlton and Spaniard flows through YMwffi ' k'B vo'n8, H'8 fnthr who was secretary of tho Tzi i r Spanish embassy in London when tho cardinal VmV''W' 1 wna Dorn' ,s descended from nn Irish family WT0j- , which emigrated to Spain at tho end of tho yjjffk. 17th century, while his grandmother on tho liyma, mothor's side was a Miss Wlllcox, daughtor of inWiMMfil a tormor rnembor of tho British Parliament liiM Cardinal Merry del Val was educated In Eng land, Bolgtum nnd Italy, and won degreos In philosophy, theology and canon law. Whilo a young man ho becamo a protege of tho lato Popo Leo XIII and was sent by him on sovoral Important missions. Ho was ono of tho representatives to tho Holy Seo at tho Jubilee of Queen Victoria, and at tho funeral of Emperor William of Germany; and also represented repre-sented tho Vatican nt tho Jubilee of Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria and .at tho coronation of tho lato King Edward of England. In 1892 ho was appointed ap-pointed Cnmcrlerl Segroto Participant, which Is nn offlco not unlike that occupied by tho lorda-ln-waltlng to n King and which entallod his taking up his rosldenco within tho Vatican Itself. Previous to this ho wns appointed by tho Queon Regent of Spain as religious Instructor to her daughters and ho prepared tho present King, Alfonso, for his confirmation. Shortly after the doath of Popo- Leo XI H tho present pontiff appointed him secretary of slate and ho has had to deal with gravo situations sinco in Frnnco, Germany, Spain and Portugal. Ho is a linguist, speaking English, Spanish, Italian, Fronch and German fluontly and Is an Indefatigable worker. Ho was created n cardinal In 1893. . v . |