Friday 8 March 2013

Papal Retrospective : Saint Pius X : 1

Pope Saint Pius X (1903 - 1914).
On 4th August, 1903, GIUSEPPE MELCHIORRE SARTO, Cardinal-Patriarch of Venice, was elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name Pius X.  His election being unexpected, Cardinal Sarto, having received the vote of the College of Cardinals, withdrew privately for some time to ponder whether he would accept Election.

Giuseppe Sarto was born in humble circumstances in the town of Riese (Northern Italy) on 2nd June 1835.  He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Treviso in 1858.  Giuseppe Sarto was consecrated Bishop of Mantua in 1884 and in 1893 was elevated to the Sacred College by Pope Leo XIII and appointed Patriarch of Venice.

Pope Pius X died on 20th August, 1914, shortly after the outbreak of World War One.  Of renowned sanctity, his cult grew-up immediately after his death and his successor, Pope Pius XII, Canonised him in 1954.


Click on the images for an enlarged view.


Cardinal Sarto as Patriarch of Venice.

The Patriarch about to take a journey in a Venetian gondola.



An engraving of the Conclave which elected Cardinal Sarto in 1903.



Pius X shewn wearing the mantum and triple tiara in which he was crowned Pope.



A portrait of Pope Pius taken shortly after his Election.



Medal of Pope Pius, also shewing his coat of arms.
His motto was To Restore All Things in Christ.