Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1914-11-13

pOIla faction at the vatican. throughout,
Della Chiesa has been known as identified with Ram
polla in contrast the policies of Plus and Merry
del Val.
And now Della Chiesa is Pope Benedict XIV!
Truly it is the return of Rampoa in the spirit if
not III the flesh.
In a thousand ways, some little and some big, g.
revolution will be wrought at the Vatican. Just to
mention minor matter-Pius could converse IA
no modern tongue save Italian. Foreigners mad TO
talk through an interpreter on the rare occasions
when they were received by his holiness. Besr Il
Italian Benedict XIV speaks fuenty English French,
spanish and understands German Like Leo XIII,
he will make practice of addressing every visitor
In his native language.
If, on leaving Bologna, Benedict XIV failed tc buy
return ticket to his archiepiscopal see as Plus
did when in 1903 he left Venice to attend the
clave from which he emerged pontif. yet Cardinal
Della Chiesa little expected to sit few days after
ward on the throne of Peter faithful disciple of
Rampolla and SUCH little liked by the state chan
celery set of cardinals, and cardinal of only few
months standing the archbishop knew that he had
against him the supporters of Plus KS new religious
and political policies the secretary of state with his
powerful friends and perhaps, the votes and the
influence of all German and Austrian cardinals.
1t was perhaps due to these many obstacles in his
way that the clergy and the civil authorities of the
diocese of Bologna failed to escort the archbishop to
the railroad station and wish him all as is
the custom.
What happened within the frescoed walls Of the
Sistne chapel will not be known for some time to
come. One day, when Benedict XIV will consider
the time ripe, the necessary permission will be
given and new Cardinal Matthew will publish
his diary Of the conclave, giving the details OF
the religious and diplomatic struggle that led the
sacred college to vote for Cardinal Della Ch1esa
Giacoma Della Chiesa was born In Genoa on
November 81 1854 and belongs to of the
Oldest families of the Riviera On his mothers
side his family has already given to the church
another pope Cosimo Migliorati, who was limo
cent VII (14O414O6), while his fathers, the
new pope is connected with nearly thirty arlsto
cratic families of northern Italy, among whom are
some of the most prominent society leaders OF
the capital like Marquis Durazzo, Prince Cen
turione and Count Sasshi
OF Benedict xV's boyhood days very little is
known. His sister-in-law relates that he was
quiet, obedient lad who studied and seldom in
dulged in his companions pastimes. One day,
when only twelve, the young marquis approached
his father and told him pointbank that he wanted
to become priest. His father thought 1t over
for a minute and then said:
VERY well, but first get your diploma and then
renew your request"
For eight years not word more was said on
the subject The young attended the school
at Genoa, always distinguishing himself and later
on entered the law faculty of the local university
His early inclination had been wholly forgotten
by all when one day the young man returned
home and laying on his fathers desk the parch-
ment stating that he was q full-fedged doctor of
law, said:
Now, will you give me your consent to become
priest?'
The old marquis was thunderstruck. There
stood before him the same slim figure of eight
years previous whose steady gaze betrayed
strong determination The marquis surveyed him
carefully and then said:
"Of course il you still think So"
That settled it. "A few months later the young
man entered the Capranica college In Rome,
where he took his minor ORDERS and later on the
Mobiles academy, where he graduated as D. D.
1t was while he was teaching that the then
Cardinal Rampolla put his eyes him. In 1885,
when the Caroline islands questions came up and
Rampolla was sent to Spain special envoy,
Della Chiesa was given him as his secretary and
highly distinguished himself The happy solution
in 1887 of the Caroline islands question by Leo
XIII opened to Rampolla the gate Of the Vatican
state chancellery and Monsignor Della Chiesa went
with him beginning at the bottom OF the ladder.
! fnw years later however. he succeeded Non.