Milford chronicle., 1903-07-24

was al. representative of the Vatican
in the Belgian capita that he first
gained the political insight and expert
ence which have been one Of the prin
cipal characteristics OF his tenure Of
the pontifcal throne. Mgr Pecci re-
ma!ned over three years in Belgium.
and on his recall to Italy was decorated
with the Grand Gordon Of the Order OF
Leopold
After leaving Brussels the ncce-3
paid a visit to London This was in
February. 1916, and in the same year
he was consecrated archbishop of Pc
rugia. He continued in this position
for the % years which interveued be-
fore his election to the highest position
in the church. his tenure Of the e2isto-
nate coinciding exactly with the -
years of the reign of Plus TX. Such
success did not pass umouced. and in
1850 Mgr. Pecci was elevated to the
dignity OF cardinal priest.
At the consistory held in 1871 Car
dinal Pecci was appointed cameriinao
of the Roman church. which gave hin
chief ehaFse of the temperatures ot
the Holy See. In this capacity ii fell
to his task to make the necessary ar
rangements for the cOnclaye for the
election OF new pope after the death
of Plus TX in February, 1878. The
conclaye lasted SO hours. and at the
third ballot Cardinal Pecci was elect
ed supreme pontiff and took the name
of Leo XIII. after the famous Pope
Leo \ for whom he had a great ven
Grafton. He was crowned on March 3
with the tiara. or triple crown. the
f ceremony taking place not in ST. Pc
tcr's. where all his predecessors but
/ one had been crowned since l555, but
in the Sistine chapel in the Vatican,
where the conclave had been held.
Public opinion regarded the new
pope as characterized above all things
by love of peace and it was expected
that departing from that non possu-
mus policy Of his predecessor, he would
speedilv conclude a compromise with
the Italian government and thus put
an end to the antagonism between the
Vatican and the Quirinal. But the
world was soon undeceived, and in his
first encyclical. promulgated at the
Easter following his accession. Pope
Leo XIH unhesitatingly maintained
his demand for the restoration of the
TEMPORAL power of the papaey, nor did
he ever recede from the position then
taken up.
The principal events during his
reign as pope were as follows;
Revived Catholic hierarchy in Scot
land. March A, 1878.
Encyclical condemning communism.
socialism and nihilism, December rs.
1873.
Encyclical against heresy, socialism,
November 5, 1882.
Recognized unity of Italy, October Z.
1888
Encyclical condemning liberalism,
November 6. 1885.
Celebrated golden jubilee, 1887.
Celebrated grand jubilee, 1855.
Encyclical on socialism and labor,
May l6, 1891
Celebrated episcopal jubilee, Febru-
, airy. 1898.
issued appeal to England for reunion
of Christendom. April 4, 1924.
Celebrated Goth anniversary OF his
p first mass. February 10. 1898.
Declared 1900 a year OF uniyersay
. Jubilee. May II. 1899
Held consistory and created II new
cardinals. June 19, 1893.
Celebrated 9Oth birthday. March 3
, 1900
Issued jubilee encyclical to prelates
condemning evils OF the day-his so
! called last testament" March 2Sl9O2.
Celebrated pontitical jubilee, March
9, 1903
Last consistory seven cardinals
created. June p, 1903