The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-02-11

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OF ALPS.
Achille Ratti, the Cardinal Archbish.
op OF Milan, who was on Monday elect.
ed Roman Catholic Pontiff, choosing
for himself the name of Plus XII. was
comparatively unknown member of
the college of Cardinals in most coun-
tries other than Italy, but has had a
remarkable career, says the Chicago
Tribune.
Few leaders of the Church in Wash
ington have known him personally,
but high dignitary of the Church
who does know him personally, while
refusing to be directly quoted, declar-
ed that Cardinal Ratti is man of
great strength of character who rose
from the ranks of commoner to be one
OF the ablest diplomats, students and
classical scholars in the Church.
Father Weaver.
Unlike Benedict XIV, the new Pom
tiff was not born a nobleman, but
comes from a respectable middle-class
family of the neighborhood of Milan.
His father was a weaver, and, while
not a man of means, the family had
never been pinched by poverty. The
son had the good fortune of a splendid
education from early childhood until
he topped off his studies in charge Of
the Vatican library, one of the great
est in the world. The new Pontiff is
IS years old, but looks considerably
younger, and his seeming good health
is attributed to his fondness for out
door exercise and especially to noun
tain climbing.
Plus XI can point with pride to the
distinction of having climbed to the
summit of Dufour peak of Mount Rosa
as early as 1899, with a single COM
panion, which is regarded by members
of the Italian Alpine club as a classic
achievement in Italian Alpine climb
ing.
Of Commanding Intellect.
But while lover of outdoor life, he
has been a great student, is consid-
cred man of commanding intellect,
an authority on church archives, his
tory and patristic literature. He has
been deeply interested in archaeology
and science, being a member of inn
portant archaeologic and scientific
bodies. He is probably the best living
authority on the literature and records
of the Ambrosian and Vatican libra
ries, with both of which he was con-
nected for nearly twenty-five years.
The new Pontiff is regarded as IA
vorable for peace with the Italian
state, and is expected to carry for
ward the work toward reapproach-
ment between the Vatican and the
Quirinal without acting as an extrem-
ist. Upon his installation as archbish-
op of Milan, he made a notable pro-
nouncement on the Roman question,
in which he declared that "the Roman
question is an international question
| which must be solved for the glory of
God and the best interests of the
| world" This pronouncement created
| widespread comment throughout Italy
at the time.
| Polish Work Won Red Hat
A high church dignitary in Washing
ton who knows the new Pontiff per-
sonally regards him as an able diplo-
mat, and pointed to his work since
the spring Of 1915, as papa1 visitor to
Poland, and subsequently his work in
those portions of bolshevik Russia on
the east Polish frontier. Mgr. Ratti,
who had not then received the red hat
of Cardinal, conducted important ne
gotiations in Poland and Russia in the
| interests of the Church, and was sta
toned in Warsaw during the famous
drive of the Reds against the gates of
the Polish capital.
| At a time when the officials of Po-
land were talking of deserting War
saw and the population was in fear
of bolshevik outrages, Mgr. Ratti dis
played a courageous attitude, remain.
ed at his post, and set the example
for others, in the face Of the Red on.
lslaught.
1t was in recognition of his service
in Poland and Russia that Mgr. Ratti
was created a Cardinal, a rank he has
held only eight months. He is, there
fore, one of the newest wearers Of the
red beretta. He was created a Cardi
nal at the consistory of June Is, 1921
land designated as Cardinal Archbish
op of Milan, in place of the late Car
dinal Ferrari.
4 Born in 1857.
| The newly elected Pope was born
in 1857, at Desio, small place neal
Milan. His father was francesca Rat
lti, native of Rogeno. and his moth
er, Teresa CALI, native of Savo
ma. Achille was the third of six chill
dren. His oldest brother, Nermo, and
the youngest sister, Camilla, are still
living. francesca, the father, was 3
lfilandiere, a weaver and spinner, and
at the time OF the birth Of Achille was
in charge Of the weavers employed by
the Counts of Pusiano. Later, the
father went to Pertusella, and then tc
Carguata, to take charge Of the weav
!. ing shops Of the Gada firm.
| Achille was sent to school ir