The Pope's Birthday

Pius XII was born on this day in 1876 ...

If he were alive today he would be the world's oldest living pope at 140 years old ...

He was an elegant little boy.

A handsome young man.

Then he died.

He died at Castel Gandolfo in 1958 at the age of 82.

Surrounded by his faithful Head of Household

Sister Pascalina Lehnert and

her housekeeper sisters.

(Demonstrating how women always played an imoportant role in the Church.)

Transfer of the body of PPXII to the Vatican.

Notice the papal tiara atop the hearse.

Interesting note: He had a 'delicate' stomach and dropped out of seminary for a bit until he received permission to live at home while attending seminary as an external student. A dispensation highly unusual in his day.  (This is true.)

I wonder when he will be beatified?

o o o

Bonus photos and a bit of trivia:

The Holy Father was very fond of modern technology.

In those days, they used what was called a 'party line'

- this was a more economic option instead of 'private' lines -

and the Pope enjoyed listening in on conversations 

without letting those speaking know - 

which is why he held the phone away from him,

so people wouldn't hear him breathing.  

Sometimes, for recreation, he dialed random numbers, 

just to listen to the people saying "Pronto!  Pronto!"  

Other times he'd just hang up

when they answered.

He cracked himself up and would laugh

so hard.

When anyone came in - he'd quickly go back to 

writing in his diary, as if nothing happened.

He was quite faithful to protocol and decorum

in the presence of others.

He loved birds.

He once said,

"Feeding the birds is a form of prayer."

He frequently visited the birds

on the peripheries of the Vatican Gardens

- when he wasn't watching the sun spin, that is.

Almost forgot to mention - he adored poodles.

Those shown here sport a 'lamb cut'.

What?