Pope Pius XI
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Pope Pius XI was head of the Catholic Church from 6 February 1922 until his death in February 1939. He was also the first sovereign of Vatican City upon its creation on 11 February 1929.
Photograph by Nicola Perscheid, c. 1922
The parents of Pius XI
The young Ratti as a newly ordained priest.
Ratti (centre) circa 1900 in the Alps on a tour.
Pope Benedict XV
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Pope Benedict XV was head of the Catholic Church from 1914 until his death in January 1922. His pontificate was largely focused on World War I and its political, social, and humanitarian consequences
Pope Pius XI
…In 1911, Ratti was appointed by Pope Pius X Vice-Prefect of the Vatican Library, and in 1914 was promoted to Prefect. In 1918, Pope Benedict XV (1914–1922) appointed Ratti to what was in effect a diplomatic post, as apostolic visitor (an unofficial papal representative) in Poland. In the aftermath…
Portrait by Nicola Perscheid, 1915
The birthplace of Giacomo della Chiesa in Pegli
Benedict XV at the age of 12.
Pope Pius X consecrates his future successor Pope Benedict XV as Archbishop Giacomo della Chiesa in the Vatican on 22 December 1907.