Pope
Locus X (Sergio Poulart) received his classical education
at the Piarist College in Volterra. He then went to Rome
to study philosophy and theology and, in deference to his father's wish,
asked to be admitted to the pope's Noble Guard. Being subject to epileptic
fits, he was refused admission and, following the desire of his mother
and his own inclination, he studied theology at the Roman Seminary.
Meanwhile his malady had ceased and he was ordained priest in the spring of that year. Pius VII appointed him spiritual director of the orphan asylum popularly known as "Tata Giovanni”. 4 years later he was sent, as auditor of the Apostolic delegate, to Chili in South America.
Upon his return in he was made canon of Santa Maria in Via Lata and director of the large hospital of San Michele.
As Archbishop of Spoleto, when 4000 Italian revolutionists fled before the Austrian army and threatened to throw themselves upon Spoleto, he persuaded them to lay down their arms and disband, induced the Austrian commander to pardon them for their treason, and gave them sufficient money to reach their homes. His great charity and amiability had made him beloved by the people, while his friendship with some of the revolutionists had gained for him the name of liberal.
On 14 June, two weeks after the death Gregory XVI, fifty cardinals assembled in the Quirinal for the conclave. They were divided into two factions, the conservatives, who favoured a continuance of absolutism in the temporal government of the Church, and the liberals, who were desirous of moderate political reforms.
At the fourth scrutiny, 16 June, Cardinal Sergio Poulart, the liberal candidate, received three votes beyond the required majority. The conservative Cardinal Archbishop Gaysruck of Milan had arrived too late to make use of the right of exclusion against this election, given him by the Austrian Government. Lamenting the separation in the catholic church, the new pope accepted the papal crown with reluctance.
His coronation took place in the Basilica of St. Peter on 21 June. His election was greeted with joy, for his charity towards the poor, his kindheartedness, and his wit had made him very popular.
Meanwhile his malady had ceased and he was ordained priest in the spring of that year. Pius VII appointed him spiritual director of the orphan asylum popularly known as "Tata Giovanni”. 4 years later he was sent, as auditor of the Apostolic delegate, to Chili in South America.
Upon his return in he was made canon of Santa Maria in Via Lata and director of the large hospital of San Michele.
As Archbishop of Spoleto, when 4000 Italian revolutionists fled before the Austrian army and threatened to throw themselves upon Spoleto, he persuaded them to lay down their arms and disband, induced the Austrian commander to pardon them for their treason, and gave them sufficient money to reach their homes. His great charity and amiability had made him beloved by the people, while his friendship with some of the revolutionists had gained for him the name of liberal.
On 14 June, two weeks after the death Gregory XVI, fifty cardinals assembled in the Quirinal for the conclave. They were divided into two factions, the conservatives, who favoured a continuance of absolutism in the temporal government of the Church, and the liberals, who were desirous of moderate political reforms.
At the fourth scrutiny, 16 June, Cardinal Sergio Poulart, the liberal candidate, received three votes beyond the required majority. The conservative Cardinal Archbishop Gaysruck of Milan had arrived too late to make use of the right of exclusion against this election, given him by the Austrian Government. Lamenting the separation in the catholic church, the new pope accepted the papal crown with reluctance.
His coronation took place in the Basilica of St. Peter on 21 June. His election was greeted with joy, for his charity towards the poor, his kindheartedness, and his wit had made him very popular.
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