POPE LEO XIII.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 259, 19 April 1878, Page 5

POPE LEO XIII.

Giovacciiixo Pecci, who is now Pope Leo XIII., was born on March 2, 1810, in the village of Carpineto, in the diocese of Anagni — a locality already famous as the birthplace of four Popes, Innocent 111., Gregory IX., Alexander IV., and Boniface. VIII. His family w.n<? noble and of ancient lineage. He displayed in Mr boyhood a vocation for the priesthood ; he was sent to complete his education iv Rome, and after following the usual curriculum in law, science, and theology, he was ordained priest. He was then twenty-five years of age, tall, slender, handsome, full of energy, and inspired with the spirit of true piety and love of souls. Two years afterwards, Pope Gregory XVI. called him to the Vatican, and appointed him as one of his domestic chaplains, and afterwards as a, private secretary. The Pope soou satisfied himself that Mgr. Pccci was gifted with excellent executive ability, and that he was cool, firm, and brave. The Province of Benevento was at this time disturbed by bands of smugglers from the Neopolitan territory, and infested with brigands ; moreover, the nobles of the province were in relations with the law-breakers, and inclined to protect, rather than punish, them. Pope Gregory sent Mgr. Pccci to Benevento, with full powers to reform the civil administration there, and to restore the reign of law and order. In the face of serious obstacles he succeeded. The brigands were arrested or dispersed, the nobles reformed their lives, and the province was made a model of peace and good order. . Pleased with Mgr. Pocci's success in this difficult field, the Pope next sent him on a similar mission to Spolcto and Perugia, in both of which districts his zeal, courage and tact were rewarded -with the happiest results. In 18±3, being then only in his thirty-third year, Mgr. Pecci was created Archbishop of Perugia, and was sent as Papal Nuncio to Brussels, where he was to discharge the delicate task of protecting the interests of a Catholic population ruled by a Protestant King. This mission he accomplished with wonderful tact and success, aud the King MinscK became so greatly attached to him, that upon the young prelate's return to Borne, the King sent a letter to the Pope begging bis Holiness to elevate him to the Cardinalate. Meanwhile, however, Archbishop Pecci had asked permission to retire to his own diocese, which sadly needed his presence. There, in the zealous, faithful, and successful discharge of his duties, he remained in quiet until 1853, when the late Pope, then in the seventh year of his reign, invited him to come to Rome, and created him Cardinal-priest- He soon returned, however, to his own diocese, which he dearly loved, and the affairs of which he had administered with so much wisdom and kindness that his people conceived for him the most lively and deep affection. A good priest makes a good bishop ; a good bishop makes a good Pope. It was perhaps in these thirty years of quiet labour as the shepherd of his little flock in Perugia that Mgr. Pecci acquired those spiritual graces which fit him for the sublime post to which he has now been called. One may remem» ber that Pins IX. was a good priest. before he was a bishop, and a good bishop before he was Pope. But in September 1877, Pius IX. resolved to no longer permit himself to be deprived of the personal companionship of one whom he esteemed so highly, and whose presence at the Vatican was for many reasons so necessary. Overruling all his objections, he appointed him CamerUngo, or Chamberlain, of the Sacred College ; and from that time forward Pius IX. and CaTdis nal Pecci were in constant association Avith each other. There ireason to believe that the late Pope himself desired that Cardinal Pecci should succeed him. It is reported that in the Conclave two ballots had been taken, at intervals of several hours. The third ballot, taken about noon, on the 20th February, resulted in Cardinal Pecci receiving more votes than were necessary for an election, and he became the 262 nd successor of St. Peter. Cardinal Sorso, Dean of the Sacred College and Vice-Chancellor of the Church, demanded of the Pope by what name he would be known. He replied, " Leo XIII ; " and by that name let us pray that he may be known and revered in history as the Lion of the Church. The personal character and private life of our new Pontiff have been spotless and beyond reproach. The fables related by the correspondents of the non-Catholic Press concerning his ambition, and the antagonism existing between himself and the late Cardinal Antonelli may be dismissed as idle talcs. It is said he has been a "Moderate." Well, Pius IX. was the most "moderate" of Popes who ever lived ; there was not a day since September 20, 1870, when by simple raising his finger, or by a stroke of his pen, he could not have summoned to Rome an army that would hare swept Victor Emmanuel and his legions out of existence. He would not do it because he was "moderate." Pope Leo XIII. we believe will be no more and no less " moderate " than was Pius IX. * * * In person Leo XIII. is handsome. He is dignified ; autere when auterity is becoming, but at other times sweet and gentle; and always graceful, quiet, and attractive. The Church throughout the woild will pray that his reign may be a long, happy, and glorious one. — CaVtoUe Review*