New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-08
SKETCH OF Plus TX.
HIS YOUTH.

Giovanni Maria MaStai-FerTetti was born on tho
18th Of May. 1892. at sngaglia, on the shore Of the
Adriatic. He was younger son of Count Girolamo
and the Countess Catherine Solazzi. He began his
studies at Volicrra, and made fair progress in them.
When Eioise Bacocchi. who then bore the title of
Queen of Etruria visited Volterra, the little Count
was selected, account of his rank probably as
much as his merit TO deliver address in verse to
the royal visitor. lie was like many men who have
arrived at great age of feeble physical constitu-
ton in his youth and being afflicted with repeated
attacks Of epilepsy when about 10 years old he was
forced to rcnquish the military career his family
had chosen for him, and adopted for what promised
To be short life the ecclesiastical profession. He
received the first tonsure from Monsgnore Teconte,
the Bishop of Volterra and went Immediately to
Rome To complete his studies. He lived there under
the protection of uncle an officer of the ecclesi-
astical establishment of the Vatican. When his
relative retired from Rome in the troubled days
which marked the close of NapOleon's reign, his
nephew went with him and remained for several
years on the paternal estates In Singaglia He was
there presented to Pope Plus VII. on the Pontiffs
return 10 his capital after his long captivity in
France, and Masta-Ferretti soon followed him to
Rome. His health becoming less prscarous he was
allowed to resume his studies, and soon entered
minor orders. At the invitation of Cardinal Odes-
calchi he took part in a mission TO his native
province, and when he returned made deacon
in December 1918. 1t is related by biogra-
pliers that at this time he sought and obtained o
personal audience of the Pope to obtain DISPENSE
ton which would allow him TO be ordained without
delay TO the priesthood the legend stating that His
Holiness, laying his hands on the ardent young
prant, gave him the favor required with his bless
ing and thus forever cured him OF his epilepsy
The new priest celebrated Mass for the first time
on Easter of 1919 in the Church Of st. Anne del
Falignani.
ARCHBISHOP AND CARDINAL.
For four years he devoted himself assiduously to
the duties of the ministry paying especial attention
10 charitable works But wider and more arduous
sphere of work soon presented itself. canon OK
the Cathedral of Santiago in Chill arrived in Rome
in 1913 TO request from the Pope the appointment OK
an Apostolic delegate in that country. Cardinal
Gonsalyi detailed for that service Monsignore Muz.
afterward Bishop of CASTILLO, and assigned Mastai
70 accompany him as Auditor. He left none but
nleasant memories behind him there having devoted
u,uch of his time and labor there, as everywhere
else. to charitable objects He returned to Rome in
1925. and was at once taken into high favor by
Pope Leo Kill, who at first attached him to his
personal service, and aftcrward put him in charge
of the extensive Hospital of st. Michael. After
remaining there a year and half he was made
Archbishop of Spoleto. tho native diocese of tho
Poue. He was, five years afterward, transferred to
the see of Imoa, and in December, 1880, at secret
consistory was mado Cardinal, though his APP
pointment was only published year later. In ls40
Pope Gregory died. whilc Cardinal Mastai was In .
religious retreat. He delayed o few hours to cello
brate the obseuies of tho dead Pope. and FASTENED
to Rome to take part in the election Of successor