Editing Pope Benedict XV (section)

=== 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" />