Editing Pope Benedict XV (section)

== Bologna ==
[[File:PiusXbenedict XV.jpg|thumb|right|230px| [[Pope Pius X]] consecrates his future successor Pope Benedict XV as Archbishop Giacomo della Chiesa in the Vatican on 22 December 1907.]]
[[File:Coat of arms of Giacomo della Chiesa.svg|thumb|right|190px|Cardinal coat of arms]]

=== Archbishop ===
Della Chiesa's association with Rampolla, the architect of [[Pope Leo XIII]]'s (1878–1903) foreign policy, made his position in the [[Secretariat of State]] under the new pontificate somewhat uncomfortable. Italian papers announced that on 15 April 1907 the papal nuncio [[Aristide Rinaldini]] in Madrid would be replaced by della Chiesa, who had worked there before. [[Pius X]], chuckling over the journalist's knowledge, commented, "Unfortunately, the paper forgot to mention whom I nominated as the next [[Archdiocese of Bologna|Archbishop of Bologna]]."<ref>De Waal 68</ref> The Vatican had supposedly "gone so far as to make out the papers naming him the papal nuncio, but [della Chiesa] refused to accept them".<ref>"The New Pope", ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', 4 September 1914, p. 3. ([https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/32556436/ Newspapers.com])</ref> On 18 December 1907, in the presence of his family, the diplomatic corps, numerous bishops and cardinals, and his friend Rampolla, he received the episcopal consecration from [[Pope Pius X]] himself. The Pope donated his own [[episcopal ring]] and [[crosier]] to the new bishop and spent much time with the della Chiesa family on the following day.<ref>De Waal 70</ref> On 23 February 1908, della Chiesa took possession of his new diocese, which included 700,000 persons, 750 priests, as well as 19 male and 78 female [[religious institute]]s. In the episcopal seminary, some 25 teachers educated 120 students preparing for the priesthood.<ref>De Waal 82</ref>

As bishop, he visited all parishes, making a special effort to see the smaller ones in the mountains which could only be accessed on horse-back. He always saw preaching as the main obligation of a bishop. He usually gave two or more sermons a day during his visitations. His emphasis was on cleanliness inside all churches and chapels and on saving money wherever possible, for he said, "Let us save to give to the poor."<ref>De Waal 102</ref> A meeting of all priests in a [[synod]] had to be postponed at the wish of the Vatican considering ongoing changes in [[Canon Law]]. Numerous churches were built or restored. He personally originated a major reform of the educational orientation of the seminary, adding more science courses and classic education to the [[curriculum]].<ref>De Waal 100</ref> He organized pilgrimages to Marian shrines in [[Loreto (AN)|Loreto]] and [[Our Lady of Lourdes|Lourdes]] at the 50th anniversary of the apparition.<ref name="De Waal 121">De Waal 121</ref> The unexpected death of his friend, supporter and mentor Rampolla on 16 December 1913<ref>1913</ref> was a major blow to della Chiesa, who was one of the beneficiaries of his will.<ref name="De Waal 121" />

=== Cardinal ===
[[File:Benedicthorse.jpg|thumb|right|upright=0.6|Archbishop della Chiesa on pastoral visit in 1910]]

It was a custom that the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bologna|Archbishop of Bologna]] would be made a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]] in one of the coming [[College of Cardinals|consistories]]. In Bologna this was surely expected of della Chiesa as well, since, in previous years, either cardinals were named as archbishops, or archbishops as cardinals soon thereafter.<ref name="De Waal 110">De Waal 110</ref> [[Pius X]] did not follow this tradition and left della Chiesa waiting for almost seven years. When a delegation from Bologna visited him to ask for della Chiesa's promotion to the College of Cardinals, he jokingly replied by making fun of his own family name, Sarto (meaning "tailor"), for he said, "Sorry, but a Sarto has not been found yet to make the cardinal's robe."<ref name="De Waal 110" />

[[File:Benedikt XV. als KardinalJS.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.6|Cardinal Della Chiesa in 1914]]

Cardinal Rampolla died on 16 December 1913. On 25 May 1914, della Chiesa was created a [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinal]], becoming [[Cardinal-Priest]] of the ''[[Titular church|titulus]]'' ''[[Santi Quattro Coronati]],'' which before him was occupied by [[Pietro Respighi]]. When the new cardinal tried to return to Bologna after the consistory in Rome, an unrelated socialist, anti-monarchic and anti-Catholic uprising began to take place in Central Italy. This was accompanied by a general strike, the looting and destruction of churches, telephone connections and railway buildings, and a proclamation of a secular republic. In Bologna itself, citizens and the Catholic Church opposed such developments successfully. The Socialists overwhelmingly won the following regional elections with great majorities.<ref>De Waal 117</ref>

As World War I approached, the question was hotly discussed in [[Kingdom of Italy|Italy]] as to which side to be on. Officially, Italy was still in an [[Political alliance|alliance]] with [[German Empire|Germany]] and [[Austria-Hungary]]. However, in the [[County of Tyrol|Tyrol]], an integral part of Austria which was mostly German-speaking, the southern part, the province of [[Trentino]], was exclusively Italian-speaking. The clergy of Bologna was not totally free from nationalistic fervor either. Therefore, in his capacity as Archbishop, on the outbreak of [[World War I]], della Chiesa made a speech on the Church's position and duties, emphasizing the need for [[Neutral country|neutrality]], promoting peace and the easing of suffering.<ref>De Waal 124</ref>