St. Landry democrat., 1878-02-16
Plus HX.

Pope Pious TX died on the 7th Of Feb
ruary. He was one of the remarkable
men of the century. We refer our
readers to the following notice of the
illustrious dead, taken from the New
Orleans Democrat Of the 9Th inst. 1t
is verify of perusal:
The death of Plus TX must exert an
extraordinary effect OH European poll
tics, already sufficiently disorganiztd:.
After an exciting and stormy career OF
thirty two years in the Papacy, and at
the age of eighty-tive, the head of a
churcl numbering over 200, 10000 or
persons, has departed this life, just two
weeks after his old enemy Victor Eman-
| uel In the present disorganized con-
| ditiun Of European politics, with a war
| waging in the East, with a new King
Just seated on the throne of Italy, the
death of the Pope, necessltatlnK as 1t
| does the election OF successor, Is only
| too likely to produce most unfortunate
results.
Tie present Pope has reigned longer
| than any of his predecessors, not even
excepting St, Peter himself; and passed
| through 4 most varied and exciting
career. His life has indeed been one OF
vicissitudes from its very beginning.
Her temporal power was twice lost. in
1s4S and in 1870, and more than once
has his life iteelf been 10 serIous danger.
Giovanni Maria Mastai~ Feretti was
born at Sinigaglia, on the west coast OF
Italy, May 13, 1792. He was of noble
family, the son of Count -GuilamO Mas
tai Ferretti and the Countess Saluzzl
He began his studies at the College OF
Volterra in 1868, but these studies were
interrupted in 1909 by frequent attacks
Of epiiepsy. 1t Is said that youpIs
Mastai- Feretti desired to enter the
army, but that his illness prevented
him from doing so, and he finally selec.
ted the church as the proper field fol
his talents. In 1908 he received hil
clerical tonsure ana went to Rome t.
study theology.
The next year Napoleon Ronaparte
who had invaded Rome, dispossesset
the then Pope, Plus VII, relative o
/ young Mastai Feretti, contiscated hi
domain and carried him Oft a prisone
from Rome to Savony. Mastai Ferett
escaped from the tumult of the capital
an invalid, returning to his birthplace
Sinigaglia, and when summoned to be
come member Of the imperial guar.
of honor at Milan, he wac able to pro
cure exemption on the plea of incurabl
disease. He returned with Plus VII t
Rome, after Napaleon's defeat. CON
siderably improved in health, but still
so feeble that 1t was made q conditio
of his ordination In 1919 that he shoul
be assisted at mass by another priest
In June, 1926, he was appointed secre
tary to Monsignore Mnzzi, apostoli
delegate to Chill, where he ministere
to the Indian population Of the interim
He returned TO Rome in 1925, when b
was made domestic prelate to Leo Xl
then Pope.
In 1927, he was nominated Archhisho
: of SpOietO. 1t was at that place that h
showed his ability aud bis charity, al,
, laid the foundation of the reputatiH
which gained him the Papacy. II
i devoted himself to the care Of the poo
and the sick ;erected schools and no.
pitfalls and charitable and industri'
ablishments of all kinds.
4 When the revolution against Anstrl
broke ont in the Italian provinces
. 1880, some four thousand OF the lnsnl