The Irish standard., 1914-08-22

elected to the pontificate on Aug. 4,
1903, and during his occupancy of
IBIS exalted Office as head of the Ro-
man Catholic church he was con-
fronted with some of the most mo-
mentous problems, religious and gov
|ernmental, with which the Holy See
has had to deal in modern times.
Pope Plus was born on June @,
1885. at Riese. in the Venetian prov
inces, the first child of Clan -Battista
Sarto, and his wife, Margharita. His
early career was influenced by the
Village priest. who taught him to
read and write, and the rudiments
of Latin. At the age of IL he en-
tered the seminary at Castelfranco.
From Castelfranco he passed in
1850 to the seminary at Padua and
in 1853. at the age of Is. was or
dained priest and took up his duties
at Tombolo. In 1867 he had his first
parish Of Importance. that of Sal
zano. where he remained for IL
years. In addition to his ecclesiasti-
cal duties Father Sarto contributed
largely to the support of his mother
and sisters.
His eloquence led to his being
at the age Of 40 to Treyiso as chan
cellor of the diocese. and shortly af-
ter he was appointed professor of
theology in the seminary. Nine years
Of strenuous work followed. crowned.
In 1884. by his assuming the mitre as
Bishop Of Mantua.
Leo XIII conferred upon Bishop
sarto the title of Roman Count.
and in the consistory Of June. 1893.
created him cardinal. giving him the
Roman church Of San Barnardo from
which to take his title.
Made Patriarch of Venice.
Creating him cardinal. Leo XIII
appointed him also patriarch of Ven
ice, but he did not leave Mantua un.
til year later. owing to conflict be-
tween the Italian government and the
Holy See regarding the right Of the
house Of Savoy to be consulted be.
fore the appointment of patriarch
the government having inherited the
rights Of the republic Of Venice. The
dispute was cut short by King Hum.
bert also appointing Cardinal Sartc
as patriarch Of Venice.
The patriarch's relations with tht
house Of Savoy were always mos
cordial. Every time that their ma
jesties or the princes visited Venice
he paid them a visit and presented
his homage. He was the candidate
of Leo XIII as his successor, but he
40 little realized the future that when
he left Venice in July. 1908. for the
conclave in Rome. he bought re.
turn ticket.
In the conclave the struggle wal
for and against Cardinal Rampolla
Leo Kills secretary Of state. whose
chances were lost when Cardinal
Puzyna pronounced the veto Of Aus
tria against him, which veto was sup
posed to represent the triple alliance
Then. needing compromise" pope
all eyes turned to Cardinal Sarto
who at first refused, but was after
ward induced to accept the high po
sition. being elected unanimously or
Aug. 4, assuming the title of:
Pope Plus X. bishop Of Rome ant
vicar Of Jesus Christ. successor of st
Peter, prince Of the apostles; su
preme pontiff of the universal church
patriarch of the west. primate oi
Italy; archbishop and metropolitan
of the Roman province and sovereign
of the temporal dominions OF the
Holy Roman church.
Takes Secretary's Apartments.
The pontificate Of Pope Plus X was
characterized by that spirit Of modes
ty which never abandoned him. His
motto was. "To restore everything tt
Christ" The day after his corona
ton he was asked to give orders fol
his private apartment in the Vati
can, he chose four small rooms in the
low-ceilinged suite above the state
apartment of the pontiff. which un
der Leo XIII had been occupied by
his private secretary, Mgr. Angeli.
Plus x desired to give himself ul
entirely to his work. In so doing HI
did not spare any fatigue, and Civ
ing audiences. admitting persons tt
large receptions. celebrating masses
preaching, giving communion
reached such a point of exhaustion
that while in the exercise Of hi
priestly functions in the Pauline
chapel, crowded with people. HI
tainted, and thus started that repor
which pursued him ever after-tha
he was liable to fainting fits.
One Of the yearly American pill
grimages had left the United States
at the beginning Of July. 1908. Or