The Washington times., 1914-09-04
NEW POPE COMES
Of NOBLE FAMILY
Enjoyed the Title Marchese,
But Never Used It-De-
scribed as kstute States
man.

ROME, Sept. 4.-From peasantry tc
nobility the Fishermen's ring has pass
ed in the election of Cardinal Della
Chiesa as Pope, succeeding his holi'
ness Pope Plus Y.
Pope Benedict XIV, as the Arch
bishop Of Bologna shall henceforth be
known. comes of a noble family. His
father had the title of marchese. and,
although the son also enjoyed the title,
he never used it. and found his greatest
pleasure in administering to the poor
and needy.
Pope Benedict XIV. is physically the
smallest men ever elected to the throne
Of st. Peter He is near-sighted and
wears glasses. The mind which will di-
rect the affairs of the church in the
coming years is such as commanded the
admiration and respect OF the famous
Cardinal Rampolla. secretary of state
during the pontificate of Pope Leo
XIII.
Brothers Retired Officers.
tired admiral Of the Italian navy. An
other is a retired captain. but, as his
brothers gaze their lives TO Italy, so did
His Holiness consecreate himself to the
church.
OF a deeply religious nature. when he
lived in Rome, he walked daily to cele-
brate the o'clock mass. So simply
was he dressed that he was often mis-
taken on the street for poor priest
seeking charity.
Instead of living as he might have, as
AZ under-secretary of state, he occupied
poor and meager apartments that ne
might devote his income toward char
;ty. When he was appointed archbishop
Of Bologna, his new parishioners pre-
sented him with an automobile Inc
archbishop accepted the motor car: Dul
in doing so declared that ne "oGLa use
il only for the benefit OF the poor ne
would ride IN the automobile only on
missions of charity and in attending 10
his parish duties.
Cardinal Della Chiesa had little idea
that he would be the next head OF the
church when he came to Rome for the
conclave.
A knight of Malta
Pope Benedict XIV is a member OF
the knights of Malta, and is using their
cross in his coat of arms. He Is de-
scribed BY some as having the states
manship of Pope Leo, together with the
piety of Plus. and his pontihcate is
looked forward to as marking a revival
of the era of diplomacy in state as
we'll as church affairs which flourished
during the time of Leo XIII and his
secretary of state, Cardinal Rampollo.
While archbishop of Bologna the new
Pontiff was deeply interested in politics
When Pope Plus, at the last parlIa-
nentary election. permitted the Catho-
lies Of Bologna to vote. Archbishop
Della Chiesa went afoot throughout the
town notifying personally the Catholic
electors
Immediately after being ordained A
priest in 1873 he became an apprentice
20 the secretary Of the Congregation
extraordinary Of Ecclesiastical Affairs,
Under Cardinal Rampolla- In the at
nosphere of the Vatican the new Pontiff
early demonstrated the qualities which
finally resulted in his elevation TO the
Papel throne, and he was made an un-
der secretary by Rampolla.
Gave Income To Poor.
Always his entire income was given
10 the poor, with the result that when
he was elected a cardinal last Nav he
had the greatest difficulty in raising
funds to meet the heavy expenses en-
tailed by his new office
Many stories are told Of his consid-
Grafton OF the poor. One of the latest
concerns his placing the ban upon tn
dancing master. who was ruined by the
edict of the archbishop appealed to
Della Chiesa in his behalf. The arch
bishop heard their story with the great
est sympathy. but refused to yield
Then he handed them so as his dona-
ton to a subscription for the dancing
master.
Pope Benedict is well known to be
ever ready TO 80 to any extreme to
right a wrong unwittingly done even
the humDlest priest He recently pun
ished a priest in the Bologna arch
diocese, refusing even TO hear the
priest in defense. Later he learned
the charges were groundless. He apol-
ogtZed personally to the priest who
had been NrOnged.
Robes Too Large.
When the cardinals enter the con-
clave for the election Of a new Popa.
4 cabinet containing robes Of three
different sizes to meet the physical re-
quirenents of any member Of the Sac
red College who may be elected is
placed in the Sistine chapel After
he election of Cardinal Della Chiesa
was found that even the smallest
: the robes was so large for Pope
Senedict that he declined to pose
or his photograph until a new robe
could be made.
AS strange coincidence Cardinal
Della ChaeSa occupied cell 81 during
the conclavc Just closed the same cell
that was occupied by Cardinal Sarto,
elected Pope Plus X.
Pope Benedict was born November
Il, 1854 at Pegl, near Genoa, where
ne attended GIe university. graduating
in law, Latin. and theology.
ChicaqOan Saw Russian