The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-02
POPE LEo,s CAREER.
Ancestry, Percentage and Education of the
POntif-His Diplomacy.

Ancestry Percentage and Education of the
Pontif-His Diplomacy.
joachim Vincent Raphael Lodovico Pscci first
saw the light in the ancient mountain town OF
Carpineto an eagles nest" as the brother of
the Pope termed it. lofty spur of the Apen
mines From the earliest historical age this
eyrie in the mountains had been fortress of
eontendiue nations, where Roman, and Volscian,
and later combatants for the mastery Of Italy
struggled with varying fortunes. The Pecci be-
lonced to a noble Siennese family who favored
the Medici and their successful efforts to bend
Sienna the yoke of Florence. and hence the
favors which the Pecci received at the hands Of
the Mediciau Pope, Clement VII. The part
taken against their fellow-citizens by the Pecci
compelled the emigration of the family into the
States Of the Church, and they settled at Car
pineto, where, in their mountain fastness, they
were comparatively secure from the hatred and
vengeance Of their countrymen, and gradually
grew and hourished under the fostering shadow
of Rome The father of Pope Leo XIII served
under the great Napoleon, among the italian
levies of the Corsican. He was fortunate In
every sense in his marriage, his wife being rich
in property, as well womanly virtues, and
the illustrous careers of their children are
doubtless largely the result of excellent early
Leo XIII was born March 2, 1910. It was a
dark time for the papacy, Italy being then under
the heel of Napoleon. and Pope Plus VII
The clouds lifted. however In 1874 when, as
one result of Napoleon's overthrow, Pope Plus
returned to his sovereignty: He at once re-
stored the Society of Jesus, which had been sup
pressed by Clement XIV. and to the Jesuits the
Count and Countess Pecci intrusted the educa-
tion of the future Pope. The young scholar
early showed his proficiency in Latin verse; and
his purity of character was notable as his de-
voton to study. His mother kept a close super
vision over the boy, and was deeply gratified by
the reports and the evidence of his progress
Before his collegiate studies were completed,
however, death deprived him Of that tender and
devoted parent
College to the Jesuits, and among the students
who thronged to its halls was young Vincent
Pecci. His brother Joseph had already cast his
lot with tie Jesuits. In the printed list
of prizes for the scholastic year 1928 Vincent's
name is recorded for the first prize in physics
and chemistry, and for the first accessit for
mathematical physics. He was selected to de-
fend against all directors theses embracing the
entire field of philosopby-the highest distine-
ton that could at that stage of his university
career be conferred upon him. He also
unanimously selected to head deputation of
students in the presentation of address OF
thanks Pope Leo XII Instead OF joining
the Jesuits, like his brother, he selected the
ular priesthood and was matriculated in 1880 as
divinity student of the Gregorian University.
In 1882 the young student entered the acad-
envy college for noble ecclesiastcs. the nur-
sery OF all destined for a diplomatic or admins
trative under the papal government
There he was educated in civil and ecclesiastical
Jurisprudence, as we'll as Theology. In 1885 he
won prize of 1892 by thesis on the subject of
Immediate Appeals to the Roman Pontif in
Person."
Meantime Plus VIII and Gregory XVI follow
ed Leo XII on the papal throne. Plus VIII
recognized the merits of Pecci by more than one
mark of regard When Gregory came TO wear
the triple crown Cardinal Pacca warmly recon-
mended young Pecci to his notice, and the new
Pope appointed Joachim in January, 1887 one
of his domestic prelntes Pecci left the academy
and went to reside with his uncle. Antonio. in
Muti Palace On March Is he appointed
referendary 90 the court of SegnArura and was
soon afterwards given place among the prelates
of the Congregation di Buongoverno, charged
with the financial administration OF all the com
munes of the PApal States.
The Asiatic cholera was sweeping over Italy.
Mgr. Pecci not being yet in priests orders,
could not minister TO the spiritual wants and
comfort OF the plague-strcken, but he was
active and devoted in assisting his chief Cardl-
nal Sala. ia his important work of superintend-
once over the cholera hospitals. 1t may have
bean due 10 his anxiety TO serve the sick and
diving ia q priestly character that. on Nov. ID Of
shat memorable year, he received sub-deacon-