Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.
IUSEPPE SARTC, cardinal and patriarch of Venice, was elected pope on the seventh ballot by the conclave of cardinals, at Rome, on Tuesday, August 4. He at once took the name of Pius X and entered on his dutles as successor to Leo XIIL Giluseppe Sarto was born in Riesi, in the diocese of Treviso, on June 2, 1835. Ile studied at the College of Castelfranco and In the SBeminary of Padua. His first cure was in the parish of Tombalo, from which he was transferred in 1857 to Salzano. The bishop of Treviso, whose favorable atten- tion he attracted, made him canon of the cathedral of Treviso. He next became bishop of Mantua, and at the consistory of June 12, 1893, was created a cardinal by Leo XII, receiving then the title of 8. Ber- nardo delle Terme. He was at this time also made patriarch of Venice, the title of patriarch, being next to that of pope, the highest dignity in the Catholic hier- archy. 8arto, who was the only patriarch of the Itallan church, encountered determined opposition on the part of the Italan gov- ernment before he could take possession of his see. The government maintained that the patriarchate was part of the king of Italy’s patronage, and that it was the king’s right to present his own candidate. The difficulty which ensued was in reality solved, or shelved, because Cardinal Sarto, though chosen by the pope, was a favorite with the Italian government, and with King Humbert himself—a rather singular case in Italy. The cardinal has, therefore, ruled his diocese undisturbed during the last ten years, beloved by Catholics, esteemed by the government and respected by his ene- mies. Under his sway the Catholic instl- tutions of Venice have thriven exceedingly, and the cardinal's piety, combined with his noteworthy common sense, has glven him the reputation of being an ideal bishop. He belongs to the ecclesiastical congrega- tions of bishops and regulars, Sacred Rites, Indulgences and Sacred Relics. He is a great preacher, is fairly well known as a writer and has the reputation of accom- plishing all the works that he has under- taken, Sarto is probably the most able adminis- trator of the Italian episcopacy, combines firmness and determination with abundant tact and common sense and has managed to inaugurate a number of very practical reforms in his archdiocese of Venice with- out giving offense either to the clergy or to the laity. He avoids all newspaper no- toriety. Indeed, his name is rarely men- tioned in the press. He has always under- #tood how to maintain an agreeable, yet Cignified, “modus vivendi” with the It2lian authorities, from whom he derlves his sti- pend, and has shown his enlightenment by the vigorous campaign which he has car- ried on against the weneration of relics of questionable authentlefty. He is on friendly terms with the members of the reigning house of Italy; during the late reign he took part with King Humbert and Queen Margherita in the launching of a man-of- war at Venice, as well as in other state ceremonies at which they were present. and must certainly be a most agreeable choice as pope to the present ruler of Italy. He is just over 68 years of age, which was no doubt in his favor in the eyes of the conclave, since as a general rule that number of years constitutes a guarantee that the pontificate will not be of undue length. At Rome, in the pon- tifical court, he has seemed somewhat like “a fish out of water,” being humble znd simple in his tastes. He is, however, a stickler for ecclesiastical discipline; hates praise and did not hesitate in the past to write some hard truths to Leo XIII him- self when necessary, Sarto's clevation to the papacy was ex- pected in some well-informed quarters be- fore the sitting of the conclave, but be- cause of his aversion to press notices, and his infrequent visits to Rome, he was, to the general public, something of a ‘‘dark horse.” It is recalled now with some amusement that on Monday, when he re- ceived the good wishes of his friends, Sarto is said to have replied smilingly: “Oh, no; I purchased a return ticket when I left Venice.” He has always held aloof frem the intrigues and combinations of the Curia, and this fact also made his name little discussed as a papal possibility. Be- fore the conclave sat eonsiderable Impor- tance was attached to a remark of Pope Leo XIII, who, in conversation last April with Father Lorenzo Perosi, the Italfan composer, asked him for news of his friend Cardinal Giuseppe Sarto, the patriarch of Venice. “Hold him very dear, Perosi," said his holiness, “as in the future he will be able to do much for you. We firmly believe he will be our successor.' Sarto was distinctly the candidate of the Italian party in the conclave, representing fully the views of those who hold that the Roman church is first of all Italian, and that its relations with Italy should be those of friendship and good understanding. A modus vivendi with the Quirinal is in their view of first importance. France, they hold, is too indifferent to religion, Spain too in- tolerant and Austria too feeble. That Cardi- mal Sarto's tolerance wus substantial was well shown at the time of his meeting with King Humbert at Venice, already men- tioned. The cardinal, as patriarch of Peorecess R DR e - ] e e e S e e e R ] Born at Riego, Province of Venice, Italy....June 2, 1835 I CHRONOLOGY OF THE NEW POPE A student at the Sacra Theologia, Rome. .. ....1856-1858 Ordained a8 & PHEBL. .. ...« vavsvrecacesBept. 18, 1858 f Educated in seminaries of Treviso andPadua. .1848-1856 Appointed parish priest at Salgano................1867 i Made a Cardinal Priest..................June 12, 1893 Recognized by Pope leo as Patriarch of Venice Elected POPE...ccocivisscissnssssssssceAlg 4 1903 ,; Elected chancelior of the Bishopric of Treviso......1875 g Appointed Bishop of Mantua..............Nov. 10, 1884 @ D e R R Y esesce @rerecsesrssrssssssssstsssrtttirtttrtrtscrscecce srcsrsecceed Venice, announced his intention of paying a state visit to the king. The Vatican, thercupon, sent him & h'nt that his plan was not a wise one, and suggested that he had best absent himself from Venice when the king made his visit to that city. The matter was left in Sarto's hands, however. He made his announced visit to King Hum- bert, and is said to have told the latter that the Vatican had advised him against the course he took. In this attitude of conciliation toward the Itallan government is a sign that the new pope may nearly reverse the policy of Leo XIII. With the latter, silent hostility to Italy was regarded as a necessary protest agoinst the loss of the papacy’s temporal power, the regaining of which was one of the purposes of Leo's diplomacy. This ob- ject is rightly considered impossible of at- tainment by everyone outside the church. The adoption of the same view by the new pope will certainly mean a great readjust- ment of the Vatican's relations with all governments. That such a change is pos- sible, if not probable, through Sarto’s eleva- tion to the pontificate seems reasonably cer- tain. He is known to have opposed the policy of Cardinal Rampolla, the papal secretary of state, who has been charged by more than one of the cardinals with placing alliances with governments higher than the real religious interests of the church. His previous relations with the Quirinal show his pro-Ttalian leanings and his independence of the ‘“prisoner of the Vatican” theory which has been one of the sheet anchors of Vatican finance. It is, of course, quite possible that Sarto's views as pope will be more conservative and in ac- cordance with Leo's than were his idecas as to what was permitted to him as a cardinal. The inference is strong, however, that Pius X will cultivate a closer relation with Italy, and that toward France and Germany his policy will have the minimum of such ac- tual “‘politics” as appears In Rampolla's course. Sarto's life has been spent in the province of Venice, first as a parish priest, then as patriarch of the province in which he had served 80 many years in a lowly position. His selection was made by the consistory of 1893, which was compelled to sue the throne for the privilege of installing him as patriarch of Venice. In return for this concession, which was made through Pre- mier Crispl, the church appointed an ec- clesiastical vicar apostolic in northeastern Africa to assist the premlier in his pet scheme of extending the African colonies, Cardinal Sarto had not been in office more than a year bhefore he publicly declared for a union between church and state, speak- ing In no uncertain way. His utterances created a great sensation, and it was felt that he might have offended the holy father by the fervor of his words. received the silent approbation of the pope, in whose estimation he has ever held a firm place, It was sald at the time Cardinal Sarto made his public announcement that the Austrian and Prussian ambassadors at the Vatican were endeavoring to induce the papal authorities to agree to a modus vi- vendi. Emperor Francis Joseph is reported to have written several letters to the pope with this end in view, and Emperor Wil- llam of Germany Is sald to have been equal’y anxious to bring about an under- standing between the Vatican and the Ital- fan government. For more than threo decades a gulf has yawned between the rival palaces of king and pope, a gulf material and political. For thirty-five years—since the Italians bat- tered down the massive walls near the old Porta Pia—earnest men and noble women of all parties have becn dreaming and hop- ing that the mighty breach bhetween the victors and vanquished might in some way be closed. They wanted the ‘“blacks’ to forgive the conquering “‘whites,” and hoped that a new and homogeneous Italy would be born out of the ruins of the broken temporal papacy, and the monarchy, shaky in the years of its infancy, and none too atrong at any time. The pope shut himself up in the Vatican and declined to recognize the right of might. Several times after 1870 there were resolute attempts to effect a rec- Apparently he’ onciliation, the argument being that with- vut it young Italy would not be safe from the perils of foreign Jjealousy, militant so- ciallsm and anarchy. It was sald of Pope TLeo that fn 1877, when he had Just suc- cecded Pope Plus, he longed for some ami- cable arrangements with the Italians, but if he did reasons of state outweighed his private wish. He was silent, and thus plcdged himself to the no-compromise party. There was no further talk of a rec- cnciliation until 1883, when it was reported that persons in both rival camps were planning for peace. The king then sald that he deplored the barriers that prevented him “from going to the Vatican,” and sald he would be happy if the pope would walve his enmity and come out into Rome. Queen Margherita always longed for an honorable reunion with the papacy. Kecle- slastics and laymen went mysteriously be- tween the Quirinal, where the king was, and the home of the pope, seeking to bear the oliv€ branch, hoping that discuseion would end and that the pope would author- ize the great mass of the italian Catholics to take part in the national elections, from which he had told them to stand aloof. The influence of the ultramontanes on one side and of the radicals on the other defeated the plans of the "grays.” The church de- sired too much; the state would grant too little. Every attempt proved abortive. Now that a man has ascended the papal throno who is known to be heart and soul In favor of peace, all those who wish well to both church and state feel that the splendid dreams of the past promise to be realized. The name of Plus has already figured largely in church history. Plus IL (Ple- colomini of Siena, 1458-1464) was one of the most picturesque and interesting figures of the Italian Renaissance. P V.. vy 1572), a famous Dominican theologian, was the last pope to be canonized. Plus VIIL (1800-1823) was elected in Venice, in the Island Church of San Glerglo Maggiore. The centenary of this was celebrated with great pomp in 1900, a circumstance which may have some counection with the choice of a title the new pope has just made. Plus VII crowned Napoleon at Notre Dame, and was subsequently imprisoned by him. How- ever, he lived to see the collapse of the Napoleonic system and to return in triumph to Rome. Pius VIII (1825-1830) is little re- membered. On the other hand, the career of Plus 1X (1846-1878) is too well known to dwell on here. His reign was the longest in all church history and one of the most disastrous. The ceremony of enthronement will begin In Rome today. From the moment that Cardinal Sarto received the votes of the cardinals and said that he would accept the election he became without any further ceremony the vicar of Christ on earth, head of the bishops, bishop of Rome, supreme governor of the Catholic church, patriarch of the west and prince of the pontifical states. It was not necessary that he should hold even minor orders, Laymen might have been chosen pope, subdeacons have been, and one of the greatest of all popes, Hildebrand, after his election called Greg- ory VII, was not ordained priest until after he had been chosen pope. But in spite of this the enthronization of the new pope is an ocecasion of great ceremony and pomp, inasmuch as it is the visible setting apart of the chosen person as the head of the Roman Catholic chureh, The ceremonies are many and complicated, earried out with all the wealth of detall that the long suc- cession of pontifical masters of ceremony have been able to devise. The proceedings begin early on the ap- pointed day in the Sistine chapel, where, for the second time, the cardinals adore the new pope. The first adoration was immedl- ately after the election, while the cardinals were still in conclave. After this adora- tion the procession is formed to conduct his ho'lness to St. Peter's church. First march the cholr, then the lower clergy, then the bishops, archbishops, cardinals, all in order of rank, the juniors first, and finally, carried in his chalr by twelve ®ervants, comes the new pope. All areund Joseph Sarto--Head of the Church of Rome the clergy march members of the Papal guard and of the Noble guard In the great Church of 8t. Peter the pro- cessfon moves up the central aisle and halts at the chapel of the Most Heoly Trinity, where the pope adores the Host. Then it passes by the high altar on the north s de, and on the eaxt side stops, when the pope alights and with the cardinals enters a place railed off from the rest of the sanctu- ary. After a moment the new pope ad- vances toward the altar and prays at the lowest step. Then heo ascends the steps and seats himself on the aitar, in the center, where the clborium holding the Host usually Is placed. The cardinals then ad- vance and adcr> him a th'rd time. They prostrate themselves before him and kiss his slipper; then rising they kiss his hand, which is covered by the edge of his copo, and then receive from the pope (wo em- braces. The pope then blesses the people and leaves the altar. Mounting his chair again he is conducted out of the church in the same style as he entered On the SBunday following this part of the consecration cecurs the coronation, which takes place In St. Peoter's also. The pope says mass, during which the senior cardi- holy mantle, the plenitude of the pontitical mantle, uttering this prayer: *“Recelve the holy mantle, the plenitude of the pontitical ofMices, to the honor of Almighty Gol and of the most glerious Virgin Mary, His mother, ard of the blessed apostles, Peter and Paul, and of the Holy Roman church."” Then, the choir singing ‘“Ecce Sacerdos Magnus,” the pope In procession leaves the high altar and goes to the talcony over the great doors of the church. The cardinal deacon then removes the pontifical mantle, and the cardinal dean places the tlara as monarch on the head of the new pope, say- ing this prayer: ‘‘Receive the tlara adorned with three crowns, and know that thou art the father of princes and king, the governor of the world, on earth viear of our Savior Jesus Christ, to whom Is honor and glory forever and ever. Amen'' Then the pope, wearing the tiara, makes two prayers over the people in the great plazza, who represent the people of Rome and of the former papal states: *““May the holy apostles, Peter and Paul, in whose power and authority we confide, Intercedo for us with the L.ord. By the prayers and merits of the Blessed Mary, always a vir- gin, of the blessed Michael, the archangel, of the blessed John the Baptist, and the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, may Almighty God have mercy upon you, and may Jesus Christ, having remitted all your sins, lead you to the life everlast- ing. Amen.” ‘““May the Almighty and Mer- ciful Lord grant you Indulgence and abso- lution and remission of all your sins, space for true and fruitful repentance, a hoeart always penitent and amendment of life, the grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit and final perseverance in good works, Amen.” These prayers end the ceremony of the coronation and the pope retires in state. On a day appointed the pope goes to his cathedral church, which, contrary to popu- lar belief, is not that of 8t. Peter, but that of 8t. John Lateran. There he is enthroned as bishop of Rome and patriarch of the west and receives two keys as such bishop. That ceremony completed his holiness has to turn his attention to the vast business of the church, the abpointment of the con- gregations which lapse at the death of a pontiff, and the details of the complicated and innumerable guestions presenting them- selves to the head of the largest Christian church, A Gentle Hint “I trust, Mr. Brown,” sald a German- town young woman fo the young man who was about to depart, “that you will spend one more evening with us before we move into our new house."” “Delighted, T assure you,” replied the young man, beaming with satisfaction. “By the way, when do you expect to move?" “I am rot positive as to the exact date,™ she answered, “but the workmen began ex- cavating for the foundation yesterday, and we expect, if the work goes on without in- terruption, to be able to move in about elghteen months."—Philadelphia Ledger. Could Use Him “Do you know,” said the pretty girl, ad- dressing the strange young man on the opposite seat in the street car, who had been staring at her impudently for several minutes, “you put me so much in mind of my brother!" “Do I? he responded, with a killing smile, “I am delighted to hear it."” “Yes, you make me wish he was here for just about one minute.”"—Chicago Trib- une, Deluded “You look downcast,’” sald the sympa« thetic person. “I am,” sald the man who was late, to work. “I'm the victim of a whole decep- tion. Last night one of my boys fell off & safety blcycle and sprained his wrist; an- other set himself on fire with safety matches; my little girl upset a safety lamp and I cut myself with a safety ragor. What I'm looking for now is something marked ‘dangerous.’ "—Washington Star,