The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-02-15
Plus TX.
Biographical Sketch of the Dead Roman
P0ntiff.

His life and his reign have both been
prolonged, the latter beyond precedent.
Giovanni Maria Mastai Ferretti was
born May ID, 1892, in Sinigaglia. His
parents intended him for the military
profession. In 1902 he attended the col
lege at Vattena, and in 1908 began at
Rome his theological studies. In 1918,
at the age OF 26, he was ordained priest,
and in 1923 he accompanied the Papal
Legate to the newly-formed republic OF
Chill, and for two years resided in Santi-
ago. In 1925, on his return to Rome, he
was appointed President of a hospital,
and two years later was appoined Arch.
bishop of Spoletto. He was then 80
years of age. During the political dis
turbances of 1S30-'31, he was Civil Ad-
ministrator of the provinces of Spoletto
and Perugia, displaying great ability IN
his civil duties. In 1882, he was trans
lated to the See of Imola, and in De-
cember, 1889, was appointed Cardinal
Priest by Pope Gregory XVI. That
Pope died in 1876, and on June 16. the
college, by an unanimous vote, elected
Cardinal Ferretti Pope. He was crowned
Pope June 81, 1916, by the title of Plus
TX. He has survived all those who par
ticipated in his election, and the present
College of Cardinals is exclusively OF his
own appointment. In this respect We
suppose his reign is an exception.
Though men holding the Office of Pope
have died at a more advanced age, there
has been no other who had such long
reign. or who filed the days of Peter
that is served as Pope for twenty-five
years. At the time of his death he
lacked three months of being sc years
old had been priest sixty, Bishop
fifty-one, q Cardinal thlrty-eight, and
Pope thirty-one years and seven months.
Of the long list of 257 Popes, there have
been but nine who served over twenty
years. One of these, Plus VI, was
Pope twenty-four years and six months.
Twenty-Five years is the term attributed
to Peter, and no other Pope, except Plus
TX, has served term of that length.
Plus TX. began his reign by general
amnesty, and by vigorous reform of
the civil government of the Papal States,
making personal Investigations into
abuses. and promptly applying the rem
edy. In 1S47, he convened a popular
council of delegates from the various
provinces, and was looked upon all over
the world as the leading political re-
former. The next year, 184S, revolu-
tionary proceedings took place in all
parts of Europe, and the Pope, refusing
to approve or indorse the popular de-
mands, ceased to be regarded as re-
former. In Rome he promised liberal
constitution, but his Ministry failed to
satisfy the populace. A revolution took
place Count Rossi, the Minister OF
State, was killed, and the Romans
forced the Pope to name more radical
Ministry. Declaring himself no longer
free, he escaped to Gaeta. A republic
was declared in Rome. He continued
to reside at Gaeta until April, 1850, his
authority having in the meantime been
re-established by French arms. Among
the many notable events of his Pontif-
cate may be enumerated the following
1852, re-established Roman Catholic
hierarchy in England; 1854, after con-
vocation of Bishops, formally defined
the dogma of the immaculate concep-
ton 1856, established English and
American colleges at Rome 1862, can
onized the Japanese martyrs 1864, the
famous encyclical letter. 1S69-'70, the
convocation of the Council of the Watt.
can, and the declaration of the dogma oil
Papal infallibility.
The political trials of Plus TX. have
been almost continuous. He had beer
Pope but two years when he was forced
to leave Rome by the revolutionists
and was restored two years after by
French army. In 1859 began the agita.
ton fer the unlfcation of Italy under
one Government. The conquest OF
Lombardy, the annexation of Parma
Modena, and Tuscany. in 1S60-'61, were
signs that could not be mistaken. III
1861, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
was overthrown, and that monarchy in
corporated in the now recognized King
dom of Italy. Then followed the an
nexation of Umbria and Ancona. These
matters brought the King of Italy and
the Pope into direct opposition. The
Pope refused to recognize him as King
of Italy, and there has been open con.
tention ever since. The Fren,h army
had been continued in Rome from 1S48,
and Rome was, by the Intervention OF
the same Government, protected from
Italian occupations; but in 1870, owing
to the war with Prussia, France with
drew her troops, and in September OF
that year italian troops entered the city.
A popular vote taken soon after was in
favor of annexation to Italy, and in
January, 1871, Victor Emanuel entered
Rome as the capital of the Kingdom of
Italy. The protests of the Pope have
been incessant and spirited. He has de-
clared himself q prisoner in his own
states, and no longer free in the dis
charge of his duties as spiritual father
of the faithful. But no power has inter-
vened in his behalf, and he has died,
leaving the political states of his prede.
cessors in the hands of the King of
Italy.
In June, 1877, was celebrated his
golden jubilee of fifty years Bishop.
He was visited by pilgrims from all
parts of the world, bearing to him large
4 ~ IN.