The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1922-01-23
Born Of Noble Line.

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Giacomo Della chiesa, the spiritual
head OF 0o000,00o Catholics. wasborn
Of noble line at Pegli Italy, on Nov.
"a, 1854. His father was the marcheSe
Della CnicSa pronounced keeazal. He
received his education at the Iaproni-
can college and later attended the
Academy Of Ecclesiastics. Ordained TO
the priesthood in 1878 he soon at
tracted the attention Of Cardinal Ram
polla. who under Pope Leo Nil was
the papal secretary Of state. lie ar
companed Rampolla TO Madrid in 1888
when his patron was Nuncio. remaining
there until 1857 when he returned 70
Rome upon the elevation OF Rampolla
to the catdinalatc
In 1901, after having served four
years as secretary OF the nunciature IN
Spain. he was appointed secretary OF
the Cypher This position gave its
incumbent considerable authority and
the same year Mgr. Della 1hiesa was
named as consultor of the Holy Office.
A notable promotion came TO him on
Dec. l6, 1907, when Pope Plus \ ap.
pointed Della Chiesa a. archbishop OF
the important See OF Bologna TO sue
coed the late Cardinal Syampa. His
administration of this Office for seven
wears was characterized. it Is said, by
Srudence and diplomacy. His conse-
Grafton as an archbishop was performed
bv Plus himself in the Sistine chapel,
an honor so unusual that il attracted
world wide attention. Archbishop
n Il. ar1f in
May. 1914, less thar six months before
mounting the throne Of ST. Peters
He took his ecclesiastical title from
Pope Benedict XIV. one of the ablest
pontifss OF the church, who was born
in Bologna on March 81. 1867, and died
on May 3, 1855.
Benedict NN's personal appearance'l
has been described as follows: "A man
physically iIl-favored but gifted with
great intelligence; short of stature. a.
cetically thin, with the right shoulder
raised above the left. and giving one
the impression of extreme nervousness ,
and weakness. Bnt when he raised his
head the visitors instinctively felt that
they were in the presence of man
equipped with exceptional intellectual
powers and energy He reminded one
Of the noted poet, Leopard. With an
annie brow. surrounded BY coal black |
hair. black eyes. lively aud penetrating,
a large mouth with thin lips full of
expression. the pope conveyed the inn
preston OF man Of few friendships |
but these most sincere. devoted and |
lasting"
Always "a friend in need" a.
preisse Of HE church once said Of him.
Pope Benedict demonstrated his rcadi- /
ness 10 avert hardship TO poor people I
by aduancing ~ .Oo0.000 TO save a finan-
cial institution Of Rome from bank
ruptcy in the spring Of 1915. This was
in keeping with his reputation from
the time be was ordained = priest in /
1875 u the day al his death When /
he wa made a cardinal Il was with |
difficulty that he Nas able 20 meet the
expenses necessary 70 ono IN such
hieh ofsirc and this vas because up 70
that time 10 had given his entire in
come t. impoverished tonnfolks-
An instance Of his gencrotity uas
cited ~ connecfior with a han b. once
put nf,on tango dances which we're
such vog,,r several years ago. Friends
81 . poser dsncinz ma.ter in Bologna.
uso ~. ruined ~ fhe ediet % the
srrhhish1r. appealed 70 Della Chess
in hi- bshar Thf archbishop beard
their - Do via ~ Ercstest sympathy 4
BAT fs fss.fd - rieli Then b. banicd
TIM so q. ~ 1arafion 50 = ~ub-
slriI's "a. for ~ dsnrirg masisf - tile
hirn oec~ rrf1 10 rvuh fbd osheT en-
rlcsn rrL