The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1914-11-14
oeObzzuYT OF R0z2F RE1zEWcw


was thought this honoring of Della Chiesa
u would be something gained by the Ram
polla faction at the Vatican. Throughout
Della Chiesa has been known identified with Ram
pola in contrast to the policies OF Plus and Merry
del Val
And now Della Chiesa is Pope Benedict XIV!
Truly is the return of RampOIa in the spirit if
not in the flesh.
In a thousand ways some little and some big
revolution will be wrought at the Vatican. Just to
mention a minor matter-Pius X could converse in
no modern tongue save Italian. Foreigners had to
talk through interpreter on the rare occasions
when they were received by his holiness Besides
Italian, Benedict XIV speaks fuently 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 to buv
a return ticket to his archiepiscopal Plus X
did when in 1903 he left Venice to attend the con-
claye from which he emerged pontif, yet Cardinal
Della Chesa little expected to sit few days after
ward the throne Of Peter A faithful disciple of
Rampola and SUCH little liked by the state chan
celery. 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, secretary 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 the civil authorities of the
diocese of Bologna failed to escort the archbishop
the railroad station and wish him all is
the custom.
What happened within the frescoed walls of the
Sistine chapel will not be known for time to
come One day when Benedict XIV will consider
the time ripe, the necessary permission will be
given and a Cardinal Matthew will publish
his diary of the conclaye giving the details OF
religious and diplomatic struggle that led the
sacred college to vote for Cardinal Della Chiesa-
Giacoma Della Chiesa was born In Genoa
November 81, 1854, and belongs to one of the
oldest families of the Riviera On his mothers
side his family has already given to the church
another pope Cosimo Migorati, who was limo
cent VII 14O414O6), while his fathers, the
new pope is connected with nearly thirty aristO
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 Sasshf.
Of Benedict XV's boyhood days very little is
known. His sisterinlaw relates that he a
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 pointblaak that he wanted
! to become priest. His father thought 1t over
! for minute and then said:
Very WELL but first get your diploma and then
renew your request"
For eight years not word more said
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 returned
/ home and laying on his fathers desk the parch-
! ment stating that he a fullfedged doctor of
| law, said
Now will you give your consent to become
! a priest?"
The old marquis was thunderstruck. There
stood before him the same slim figure Of eight
years previous whose steady gaze betrayed a
strong determination The marquis surveyed him
carefully and then said:
"Of course if 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 teaching that the then
Cardinal Rampolla put his eyes him. In 1885,
when the Caroline islands questions up and
Rampolla was sent to Spain special envoy,
/ Della Chiesa given him as his secretary and
! highly distinguished himself The happy solution
! in 1887 of the Caroline islands question by Leo
XIII opened to Rampella the gate of the Vatican
state chanceIlery and Monsignor Della Chiesa
with him, beginning at the bottom OF the ladder.
| A few years later, however, he succeeded Mon