The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-09-04
NEWS OF DELLA CHIESA's
ELECTION Is A SURPRISE
TO PAPAL LEGATION HERE

The elevation Of Cardinal Della Chiesa
to the papacy was no less q surprise
here than elsewhere in this country. Al
though most Catholic priests here had
heard Of him, none had ever met him 50
far as could be learned.
Cardinal Della Chiesa vas known as
a RampolIa man. as opposed to a Plus
man. politically. according to function
aries OF the papal legation here. His
alignment with the Rampolla party dates
from his association with that prelate
In the office OF secretary OF state OF the
Vatican.
In 1901 Cardinal Rampolla promoted
Della Chiesa to the Office Of substitute for
First Assistant Secretary OF State. An
extraordinary feature of Della Chiesa's
elevation 10 the chair of St Peter is that
ne had been a cardinal less than year,
having been given the red hat at the con-
sistory held last March. II was stated
here, unofficially. that he owes his cleo
ton as Pope almost entirely 10 his assO-
citation with Cardinal Rampolla.
He was far more the friend than thu
subordinate OF RampOlla. and remained
faithful to the secretary Of Leo XIII even
In the hour OF his evil fortune and exile
10 Santa Marta. He was slow in secur-
ing the cArdinalate; not as regards his
years (for he is still young). but his
archepiscopal see. it was thought, should
have given him the right 10 a cardinals
hat some time ago. His personal and po-
litlcal friendship with the Sicilian cardi-
nal is believed to have deferred the
honor.
Cardinal Della Chiesa, born at Pegli
November q. 1854. OF a noble Ligurian
family. after pursuing legal studies in
the University Of Genoa, came TO Rome
for his theological studies in the Col
legic Capranica, and having received the
priesthood in 1878. entered the Academy
of Noble Ecclesiastics. When Cardinal
Rampolla. then Mgr. Rsmpolla del
Tindaro, went as nuncio to Spain, Della
Chiesa accompanied him as his secretary
and remained in that capacity up to 1887
when Rampolla was created a cardinal
and appointed by Leo XIII secretary Of
state Mgr. Della Chiess was called
by Cardinal Rampolla to assist in the
duties Of the secretary of state with
the idea that he would ultimately sue
coed TO that office. This charge he held
during the vacancy in the Holy See and
in the first four years OF the pontificate
of Plus Y. When in 1907 Cardinal Svampa-
archbishop Of Bologna, died, the Holy
Father appointed to succeed him was
Mgr. Della Chiesa, on whom he conferred
with his own hand the conservation as
bishop, and today gives him the crown
ing honor of investing the archbishop Of
Bologna with the sacred purple.
No official announcement Of his cleo
ton had been received at the pspal lega-
ton here, 1t was stated II is expected
that the first message to this country
will come to the papal delegate. Arch
bishop Bonzano. who will repeat the
announcement to the heads OF the various
dioceses.
In sharp contrast to the late Pope,
Pope Benedict comes from a prominent
noble family OF Italy. From his earliest
youth he was educated for the priest
hood. While still a young man he was
sent to Rome and matriculated at the
Capranica College. Later he entered the
Academy for Noble Ecclesiastics. Pope
Benedict belonged to the grade Of cardi-
nal priests.
The name Benedict has been favorite
one with the Popes from the time OF
Benedict I. who succeeded John III, in
575. Benedict XIV was one OF the most
famous Of the name. He was Cardinal
Lambertini and succeeded Clement XII
in 174O. He reformed abuses, introduced
good regulations, cultivated letters and
encouraged men OF learning and was q
munifcent patron OF the fine arts. He
died in l7Ss.