The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-08-08
THE NEW POPE
Career and Character Of Cardinal
sar;o, Successor Of Leo XIII.

SaTtO, successor OF Leo Nlll.
Giuseppe Sarto was born at Riesi,
in the diocese OF Treyiso and province
Of Venire. on June .. 1885. and is thus
in bis 18th year fle began his elu-
cation OF seminary at Treyiso. and
continued g az padua. the seat Of the
famous university one Of the best not
only I'm Italy hut I'm tlr world.
Plus X. was only % when be was
consscratcd q priest al Castol Franco.
the birthplace of the great MASTER.
Gi0rg.one. acting afterwards for nine
years as ,oaljntor 20 the parish priest
OF Tombolo. province of Padua a small
village OF 2950 people. who were the
first 10 appreciate his virtues. His
Kindness was uurring. lie sought 10
an their wants. and never a murmur
was heard when he was called in the
middle of a winter might 10 a death
bed which proved TO be nothing Of the
kind. lie gave freely Of his very small
means. until he often went without
meals. himself but he kept many a
poor family from starvation.
In 1861 he was appointed parish
priest az Salzano. which was co.eid
cred an important promotion. being a
village of 33H souls. Still. he was ex-
ceedinely sorry 10 leave TombOlo.
having become attached to the people.
The peasants, when he left. made
most enthusiastic demonstration. cry
ing. "Viya, Don Giuseppe while many
women whose children he had nursed
went coplously. lie distinguished him
self so much at Salzano that he was
only kept there two years. which is
remarkable in the career of an Italian
parish priest. In 1875 he was elected
chancellor Of the bishopric of Trevisa.
then spiritual director of that semi
nary. Judge OF the ecclesiastical tribu-
nal and finally vicar general.
Pope Leo, VINO mad mighty appre-
clated his cleverness, piety and mod.
esty, appointed him in November.
1884. at the age of 40 years. bishop OF
Mantua where he remained nine years
until 1893, when he was made car
dinal and appointed patriarch OF Ven
ice. He there distinguished himself
as a thorough reformer. suppressing
all abuses, restoring the dignity OF
the clergy and the earnestness OF re-
ligiOn. 70 him IS due the revival Of
Z Gregorian chant in the beautiful
churches overlooking the lagoons. and
to him is due the strict return 10
lithurgic rules.
From his appointment rose heated
polemics between the holy see and
Ne Italian government The latter, as
heir to the ancient privileges granted
by the pope to the republic OF Venice,
sustained that It had the right to
choose and appoint the patriarch. The
government, however, after having
long refused its exequatur, eventually
granted 1t to Sarto, who meanwhile.
succeeded in gaining general esteem.
including that OF the government Off
Gals. The italian cabinet has no feel
ing against Sarto personally. In fact.
he might quite well have been their
choice If the papacy had not wished
him. but It was a political question on
which. however they soon gave way.
SartO became the ideal OF the Vere-
tians When his gondola went through
the canals the people rushed on the
bridges and along the sides Of the
canals. kneeling and saluting. the
women exclaiming, God bless our pa
triarch."
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 a few cases in which he came to
Rome, on returning when asked If he
enjoyed the gorgeousness OF the papal
court and the magnificence OF the
Sarto answered; when ]
am there feel like a fish out of water"
lie has very modest tastes. having re-
tanned almost the same habits as when |
he was mere curate at Salpazo. He |
was severe but was just with his
clergy. There is nothing he dislikes |
so much as publicity, detesting the
praise and compliments Of courtiers.
Frankness is another of his principal
qualities. although he is somewhat
timid.
AS the Italians say, he has no harm
on his tongue or pen. Even so. Piux X
often wrote truths which were perhaps
The relations Of Sarto with the house
Of Savoy are well ILLUSTRATED BIZ what