The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-08-08
THE NTERMoUNTAlN COLORADO CATHOLIC: AUGUST


career of an italian parish priest. Il
1875 he was elected chancellor of TIL,
oishopric of Treviso. then spiritual di.
rector" of that seminary, judge of the
ecclesiastical tribunal, and finally vicar
general.
Bishop of Mantua. =
Pope Leo, who had highly appreci-
ated his cleverness, piety and modesty
appointed him in November, 1884 at the
age of 40 years, bishop of Mantua
where he remained Eine years, until
1895, When he was made a cardinal and
appointed patriarch of Venice. sup
pressing all abuses, restoring the dig
nifty of the clergy and the earnestness
of religion. To him is due the revival
of a GregOrian chant in the beautiful
churches overlooking the lagoons, and
to him is due the strict lituric rules.
From his appointment rose heated
polemics between the holy see and the
Italian government. The latter, as heir
to the ancient privileges granted by the
pope to the republic of Venice, main
tained that it had the right to choose
and appoint the patriarch The gov
ernment, however, after having long
refused it's exequatUr. eventually
granted it to Sarto. who. meanwhile
gained general esteem, including that
of the government officials. The Ital-
ian cabinet had no feeling against
Sarto personally. In fact, he might
quite well have been their choice II the
papacy had not wished him, but 1t was
political question on which, however,
they soon gave way.
Idol of Venetians.
Sarto became the idol of the Vene-
tians. When his gondola went through
the canals the people rushed on the
bridges and along the sides of the ca
nails, kneeling and saluting, the women
eXciaiming: God bless the patriarch
The new pope used then to say that
he did not like to go out of sight of the
lions of st. Mark, which now he will
never see again if, as is almost sure,
he follows the rule inaugurated by his
two predecessors never to leave the
vatican.
In the few cases in which he came
to Rome, on returning, when asked if
ne enjoyed the gorgeousness of the pa
pal court and the magnificence of the
functions, Sarto answered: when [
am there feel like a fish out of water
He has very modest tastes, having re-
aimed almost the same habits as when
he was a mere curate at Salpazo. He
vas severe but just with his clergy.
rhere is nothing he dislikes so much
IS publicity, detesting the praise and
of courtiers. Frankness
S another of his principal qualities, al /
hough he is somewhat timid.
As the Italians say, he has no harm
IN his tongue or pen. Even so, Plus X
unpleasant.
Favorite With Royalty.
The relations of Sarto with the house
# Savoy are well illustrated by what
two months ago, when the
ling of Italy went to Venice to open
he international art exhibition.
King Victor Emmanuel gave orders
hat the patriarch be given precedence
ver all the local authorities, but Sarto |
aving arrived while the king was
peaking to the prefect. who is the
ighest government official in the prov
nee, he refused to be announced and
aid he would not disturb his majesty. |
lie remained in an ante-chamber. af- |
ably conversing with the generals and |
dmirals gathered there When the |
ing learned of his presence he camel
hamber and kept him in conversation, |
ccompanying him afterward in a gon- |
ola while all the soldiers and guards |
endered Sarto military honors. Nat |
rally this does not mean that Sarto, |
nee pope. will fundamentally change |
he policy that the church has adopted |
)ward the Italian state, but certainly |
is personal feeling will be favorable |
moderation
Peasant by Birth.
AdHices from Riese, the birthplace of,
ius Y and a village of 1000 inhab-
ants, state that, the ,pope's mother,
ow dead, when living therein. occu- /
led small peasants house. having in |
er humility always refused to live
ith her son, Giuseppe. as even his
odest establishment was considered
Y her to be too luxurious in compari-
IN with what she was accustomed to.
he elder brother Of the pope, Angelo,
we'd in the village of Dellegrazie, prov
ice of Mantua, being the postman of
le district and receiving $50 a year for
S duties.
He adds to his income by keeping
op in which he sells tobacco and pork.
is two daughters are the bellies of the
lldSe' oellS hlio"H IOF HlllSS drouHu
the handsome Sarto sisters"
When Plus Y was bishop of Mantua, T.
S brother, Angelo. used often to go
ere for reasons connected with his
'stal service. The other clerks would
TX him iokingly why his brother did
It find him better position. Angelo,
it'll sturdy independence, answered
at he preferred only to be what he
l1ld make himself Still following 1
pal precedents, the tobacconist and
stman of Dellegrazie should become ,
royal count.
NOT A POLITICAL POPE.