The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-23
PRIVATE LIFE OF Plus K.
As Patriarch of Venice He Lived Sim.
ply-LOve for His Mother.

Loiuol MAIL
The new Pontiff is sixty-eight years DID,
He was born on Jan. 2, 1885, at REESE
in the diocese of Treviso I'm North Italy and
educated in the Salesian Institute at Cotto-
lengo. Until he was past middle age he
was a simple parish priest in the province
of Venice, and it was only in 1854 that his
saintliness of life and enthusiasm of pur-
pose were rewarded by the Church with
the bishopric Of Mantua. Then, however,
his high executive qualities and magnetic
personality were Immediately recognized,
and on June II, 1893. he received the cardi-
nafs hat from the late Pope. In the same
year the Consistory selected him to become
Patriarch of Venice, but this action caused
protracted controversy with the Italian
government. who declared the patriarchate
to be under royal patronage. The situation
was curious one, because Cardinal Sarto
had already declared his cherished desire
for union between Church and state and
for an abandonment of the long feud be-
tween the Vatican and the crown. King
Humbert himself had an immense regard
for him as a peacemaker ano The govern
ment was therefore induced to agree To the
choice of the Church. AS Patriarch of Ven
Ice the cardinal publicly expressed his
views that the policy OF the Vatican should
give way to broader Christian charity
and although it thought that those
utteranceS would arouse the hostility of the
Pope, who firmly maintained his position
as the prisoner of the Vatican i'm accord
ance with the recognized tradition of the
Church, no rebuke was forthcoming, and
IL was afterwards seen that Leo XIII still
regarded him with appreciation and affec-
ton.
When King Humbert and Queen Marg-
inertia paid a visit TO Venice some years
ago Cardinal Sarto was among the first 10
welcome them in his official position and 10
give them the blessing of the Church. Last
year, also. he went in state in his beautiful
gondola to render homage TO King Victor
rigid etiquette which had existed i'm all
formal relations between the princes OF
Church and the royal family. and holding
out the hand of Christian charity.
AS Patriarch of Venice Cardinal Sarto
took prominent part in the life of the
city and province Under HIS auspices a
league was formed between the moderate
party and the clerical party which sue
ceedec In obtaining paramount influence
over the affairs OF the municipality and the
provincial council
But II is not for the part he has played
IN the world or politics that the new Pope
mas been distinguished in the past for his
political creed consisted in denying parties
ana politics and In working for spiritual
lhnuence rather than temporal power. He
delighted 10 divest himself OF the austerities
and cold dignity OF his official position and
TO go among his people with the same sim
phcity and frankness as when he was
humble pa ish priest. To reach the hearts
OF the peopl' he spoke TO them in their own
Venetian patois rather than in the Italian
language.
In his home life the deeply human side
OF his character is revealed, and after the
important business of the day. when he
zealously attended TO the great duties Of
the patriarchate. a few OF his intimate
friends in Venice would be invited to the
palace TO take hands at a Venetian card
game called tresette. which he Is very fond
OF playing. IL Is "A four-cornered game
and the ca dinals usual companions were
selected from the local Italian authorities.
On these occasions h.s old widowed mother
would sit by quietly stitching al her needle
work and watching her distinguished son
with an amused and living smile at his
vvacity am good-humoreG banter. Friends
In Venice speak OF the immense reverence
and tenderness which the cardinal always
displays towards the old lady who Is his
dearest tie upon earth. Like President
Loubets mother. this other mother OF a
great son r. woman OF the people, and IL
is proof of the democratic spirit OF the
Catholic Church that no barrier or birth
Is put between the humblest priest and the