This is patently absurd and ignorant. Franz Joseph rose every morning at 3 am and prayed for 1 hour. When I visited the Hofberg and Schonbrun palace, his bedroom had a kneeler with an image of Christ's baptism by his bed. The man was very devout.
Fr. Hesse's uncle was a confessor for one of the Hapsburg's and he had confirmed that Rampolla was known to be a Mason and that was why Franz Joseph invoked his right to stop his election.
Sorry but it is Franz- Joseph( no friend of Franz- Ferdinand) who is the Freemason. F-J would have been ex-communicated by Pius IX for Austrian civil marriage but for political difficulties. Later F-J doesn't lift a finger to help the Pope get back his Papal States. Popes Pius IX, Leo XIII, Pius X as well as Cardinals Rafael & Rampolla would not consider any compromise with a secular, Mazzini, Garibaldi, Crispi( not even an Italian), Masonic Italy.
BTW-- No civil power ever had the 'right' to veto a conclave.
:cheers:
BTW II to Incredulous as I am quite enjoying the book in spite of the fact that so far there is nothing re: Fr Feeney or Cardinal Siri. It should be noted that the author is somewhat of a Cushingite....
Topic: PPXII and The Demise of The Mass (Read 3119 times)