1908 Messina earthquake
Videos
An earthquake occurred on 28 December 1908 in Sicily and Calabria, southern Italy with a moment magnitude of 7.1 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme). The epicentre was in the Strait of Messina which separates Sicily from the Italian mainland. The cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria were almost completely destroyed and between 75,000 and 82,000 people died, making it the most destructive earthquake ever to strike Europe.
Ruins of Messina after the earthquake and tsunami. Taken at the northern section of the Palazzata in front of the harbour
Messina earthquake seismogram
The port of Messina in c. 1900, before the earthquake and tsunami
The devastated seafront of Reggio Calabria
Pope Pius X
Videos
Pope Pius X was head of the Catholic Church from 4 August 1903 to his death in August 1914. Pius X is known for vigorously opposing modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, and for promoting liturgical reforms and scholastic theology. He initiated the preparation of the 1917 Code of Canon Law, the first comprehensive and systemic work of its kind. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. The Society of Saint Pius X, a traditionalist Catholic fraternity formed decades after his death, is named after him.
Pius X in 1903.
The Marian image of Our Lady of Confidence, for whom Pius X had a religious devotion. The Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
A young Giuseppe Sarto