Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1903-07-29
Story Of Pope Leo's EventfuI Life.

Gloacchino Vincenzo Rafaellc
Pecci, subsequently, Pope Leo XIII
of Rome, was born at Carpineto,
Italy, March 2, 1910. His father
Sudovico Pecci, served with distinc.
tion for several years in the army OF
Italy, and his mother, Anna Pros
peri Buzz, claimed descent from the
illustrious Cola de Rienzi, the last OF
the great tribunes. Most of his in.
tellectual gifts were presumably de.
rived from his mother, who was pos.
sessed of extraordinary talents.
His early years were spent under
the parental roof at Carpineto. Here
he developed that rare amiability
and strength of character which dis.
tinguished him throughout his long
career of usefulness. In speaking oi
his disposition at this period his
mother frequently remarked tina,
he was the source of great comfor,
to her. Though never stout oil
frame, he was exceedingly fond ot
outdoor life in boyhood, spending
much of his time either on horse.
back or in hardy sport of some kind
In 1918 he entered the Jesuit col
lege at Veterbo, where he distin.
guished himself by reason of his dill.
gent habits and mental accomplish.
ments. In 1924 he entered the col.
lege Romano, in the ancient capital
where he likewise took high rank
among The students. During his
educational career many premiums
were bestowed upon him for pro-
ficiency in his studies. On account
of his peculiar aptitude in philosophi-
cal branches of thought he was fire.
quently called upon before gradua-
tion, in spite of his extreme youth
to assist the faculty in giving in
struction in these branches. His
mother never witnessed his formal
entrance into the priesthood, but she
died happy in the assurance that her
noble son had fully resolved to con-
secrate himself upon the altar of the
church. One of the most joyful
moments of her life was the time
when he came home to visit her,
wearing the clerical three -cornered
hat indicative of the decision which
he had reached in the matter. His
father, at one time, wanted him to
enter military life in emulation of
his own example in this respect, but
he cheerfully acquiesced in the de-
cision which led his son into the
priesthood.
Having completed his edcational
studies, the future pontiff, on March
16, 1887, became, through the ap-
pointment of Pope Gregory XVI,
domestic prelate and referendary of
the Segnatura. On December %,
1887, Cardinal Odescalchi conferred
the priesthood upon him and subse-
quently he became apostolic delegate
at Benevento, Perugia and Spoleto
in succession. In 1843 Pope Greg
,ory XVI appointed him nuncio to
Belgium and also at the same time
made him archbishop of Damietta.
Entering upon the duties which this
dual responsibility imposed upon
him, he remained at Brussels three
years. On December 10, 1853, he
was proclaimed cardinal by Pope
Plus TX, and on September 1, 1877,
Pope Plus TX appointed him to the
Office of Cardinal Acmerlengo, who
had occupied that post. Subse-
quently on the death of Pope Plus
TX, on February 7, 1878, he assumed
the beadship of the church in TEN po-
raj matters, made the arrangements
for the last solemn obsequies of the
pontiff, received the Catholic am
bassadors and superintended the
preparations for the conclave.
Sixty-two cardinals were present
at the assembly, which was held at
the vatican on February 18, 1873, to
elect the successor of Pope Plus TX.
On the first day there was no cleo
ton, but on the second day Cardinal
Pecci, having received the majority
of the votes cast, was declared pope
elect. On March 3, 1873, he was
crowned in the Sistine chapel under
the title of Pope Leo XIII. Pope
Leo XIII grasped the mitre with
extreme vigor, but at the same time
with characteristic gentleness, fully
realizing the weight of responsibility
which it imposed upon him. During
the twenty-one years of his reign
ther '.as never been the least dis
play of weakness of deviation from
the fixed principles which he
brought to the chair of st. Peter.
On his accession to the sacred office
he asserted his bold policy of inde-
Pendence by refusing to accept the