The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-11-17
Pho MONO.
A Brief Sketch of His Life and Career


The end Of the great Pontlff draws nigh.
He may have passed away ere these lines
are read, aud yet the wonderful vitality
which, on several occasions when his ply
sicians reported him dying, asserted itself,
may enable him to ward off death for
few days longer, Notwithstanding his de-
biltated condition. 1t is said he gives
audience nearly every day. A recent spe-
cial cablegram to the Herald gives the
following account of one on the l4th inst.
the date on which his death was reported
1t says:
His Holiness was borne in byfour palfreniers
and looked very pale and weak.
During the six minutes the audience lasted he
never once moved his legs, but he moved his hands
frequently and with apparent freedom. The APP
pearance he presented was that OF man on the
his mental faculties to a degree hardly TO be ex
pected under the circumstances. The pilgrims
favored with an audience looked on with reveren-
tal awe feeling that they had cast their last look
on Pho Mono alive
Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti, who for
thirty-one years has filed the chair of St
Peter as Pope Plus TX, was the scion OF a
noble Italian family, and born at SiDigaglla
May Is, 1892 He was originally intended
for the military profession, and went to
Rome to enter the Papal guard but show
ing signs of an epieptic tendency he
changed his purpose and became a student
of theology. After completing his studies
and receiving holy orders, he remained
some time 10 Rome and took an active
part 10 the various important works OF
charity, which gave BIN high reputation
for intelligence aud energy. This reputa-
ton led to his selection by Plus VII. to ill
a mission to the government of Chill,
South America, where he acted as audit
or" to MOnsignor Muge, the vicar apostolic
of that republic. Equally faithful and
successful in this position, be was, on his
return, made domestic prelate OF LeoXlI.,
and president of the Ospizio of San Mich
ele. In 1899 he was made archbishop OF
Spoleto, and in 1885 was sent as apostolic
nuncio to Naples, where he distinguished
himself by his efforts to mitigate the rava-
ages Of the cholera, then raging there.
The Neapoltans still retain grateful re.
collection of his self-sacri6cing services in
their behalf in those terrible days. In
1910 he was created cardinal archbishop of
Imola, where much political dissfectipn ex-
listed; but he displayed such wisdom and
skill in reconciling differences aud healing
dssensions, coupled with such liberalty Of
sentiment, that peace and prosperity were
speedily restored to the district.
Pope Gregory XVI. died June /, 1916
and on the 10th of the same month Car
dinal Ferretti was elected by acclammati) II
as his successor. As soon as practicable
after his conservation Plus TX. set abou
the Introduction of certain reforms in thu
administration of affairs which experience
and observation had convinced him were
necessary as we'll as desirable. His inten
ton was TO establish the papal government
on a firm, and yet, at the same time, pop
ular basis; and during the brief period
that events permitted him to follow th
programme, he not only accomplished
many highly valuable results, but endear
ed himself greatly to the people But tat
French revolution of lS48 gave such ire
mendOus impetus TO Repub isanisn
throughout Italy, that the pope felt com
PEELED to adopt more conservative course
which naturally diminished his popularit.
at once. The reactiOnary policy precipit-
nted the inevitable crisis. On the 18th o
November, lS48, Count Rossi, the papa
minister aud adviser, was assassinated il
Rome, and few days later the pontif
was obliged to take refuge in the Quirina
Palace; from whence lie left the city ant
established his court at Gaeta, the frs
town 10 NeapolitaL territory. FROM Gaet
he sent November %, an ordinance L
Rome, declaring void all the acts ut tn
new government. tie also addressed
formal remonstrance to the Catholic sover
elgns OF Europe, but neither Ord0nnanc
nor remonstraDce produced Immediat
practical iruit In April, 1849, however
the fruit came. n French force landinI
at Olvita Vecchla, under command of Gen
OudiOOt, advanced on Rome, then held b.
native troops led by Garibaldl; and after
siege Of thirty days captured the city AM
placed within it On army of occupation
The papal government was reinstated, bu
the pope did not re enter Rome until Apr
II, 1850. For some years his rule me
with no serious Instructions, but in 1876
and 1860 changes in European polite
tended to materially weaken the tempors
power OF the holy see, and iD September
1860, the Sandman troops entered the pi
pal territory and took possession Of Pesart
FanO. Urbina, Porugia and Spoeto. o
the 2Sth of the month named, Ancona sui
rendered; which left OF the States of tn
Church only Rome, CiVita Vecchia an
some districts occupied by the Frenc
army. The troubles thus begun, contiI
ued with various notifications until 1874
when they eliminated in the withdraw
OF the French troops from the ponti6ci
domlnions, which prepared the way fC
the immediate occupation Of Rome by ii
Sandman army under Gen. Cadorna, whic
event occurred on the 10th of Septempe
This browning act of the uni6catiOn of l
ally extlnguished the temporal authority
the papacy, and lett Plus TX only sove
elgn In spiritual sense. As he could N
abandon his prerogatives. or compromil
what he believed TO be the inaienab
rights OF his high Office, he has never re
ognlzed the present Italian government
and has remained self confined prison
In the Vatican; receiving there, as cor
pensation for his affections, the united al