The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-02-07
Biographical Sketch of Pope Plus


Pope Plus TX was born on the 13th Of May,
1892, at Linigaglia. His name by baptism was
Giovanni Maria Mastai. His parents were
Count HieIonymus Tor Girolamo) Mastai and
the Countess Catherine solazzL Tho family
was OF the nobility Of Lombardy.
The Mastai family united themselves by
marriage with the Ferritis, and hence the
name Mastai- -Ferreti. Giovanni was the
youngest OF four brothers. Count Hieronymus
died at the age Of eighty years, and the mother
OF the Pope at eighty-two years. The great
grandfather of Plus TX reached the age OF
ninety six years, showing that longevity was
hereditary.
Giovanni, now Count Mastai, after having
finished three years cour Sc in tho academi-
ca ecclesiastea, found himself completely
cured Of his Sickness epilepsy. The
mnor ,rards orders were Se conferred him.
brated his "FirsJ Mass" on Easter Day l6ly.
He was tnen appointed by Leo XII as prel-
ate OF st. Mary's Church in the Via Lata, with
the title OF Monsignor, and given the right to
wear red vestments. Next he assumed the
Presidency Of the Hospital Of st. Michael on
the Tiber, and then became Archbishop of
Spoletto. This city In le42 he saved from the
hands OF mob. The Bishopric Of Imola WAS
next given him. December IA, lS4O. he was ap-
pointed Cardinal py Pope Gregory XVI.
Proceeding to the Eternal City to take part
in the balioting for successor to Gregory
XVI, Giovanni Mastai, on the fourth ballot,
was himself elected Pope on the 10th of June,
1876. He assumed the name Of Plus TX Hes
was crowned on the SUNDAY following (2lst ID
St Peter 5 Church.
His first act wa, to set at liberty over fifteen
hundred political prisoners.
N vyi
Austria. whose troops landed ut Ferrara to as
sist The riotors at Rome, and who were clam
oring for new privileges: Then sprung up the
i;oHlDs wsa sna shet psce sS'a Tst
latter were soon overcome. AS to the
former, the Pope decreeo u law establishin <
the Civic Guard. relaxing the censorship of
the press anu granting other rights. The Jes-
| ults, spec al wards Oh the Pontl6, were COM
peled to leave Italy and sought refuge in
America.
June II the Pope created Jacob Antonelli a
Cardinal. On the 2Svh the Pope, amid the cer-
the burial OF the heart OF the great O'Connell,
of Ireland in the Church Of ST. Andrew.
ON the 5th Of July he established the Ma
tional Guard.
The political events connected with his oc
cupancy Of tile Pontiical Chair, 10 the history
OF Europe during thar perlol, and has more or
less conneclion with all the important events
OF the past quarter of a c.ntury.
Among the ecclesiastical acts and events
are: me publication, December s, 1864, OF
the encyclical "Qua to Cura" anu tho
catalogue OF propositions condemned
by him. The celebration in 1869 ~
OF the first session OF the c0until of the
Vatican concerning the do sna of The infalli-
DiIiLy OF the Pope: the creation i'll the Unite
states OF vast Roman Catholic
hierarchy crowned in March, 1875.
by eleYating W the Cardinalale Archbishop
Mc ylosky. ol New York; the conflict win the
1,,c n . lA,O ne
the Poll h Catholics, and those which took
| place Win the German mpire and tue kepub
lie OF Switzerland after the Council OF tho Vat
lean.
rius TX has bestowed the honors of canoni =
zation ON more persons than any OF his prede-
cvs.ors In June, 1871, lie completed
the twenty fifth year OF his ponthcate
being the only Pope who reached the years Of
Pope Peter, in spite Of the traditional ''Non
Videbis amos Petrl'.-"Thou shalt not see the
years Of Peter"