Blessed Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX (born May 13, 1792 AD in Senigallia, Italy; died February 7, 1878 AD in Rome, Italy) was the head of the Catholic Church from 1846 to 1878, the longest-reigning pope in history after Saint Peter. Born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, his pontificate saw the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, the convocation of the First Vatican Council, and the loss of the Papal States. His feast day is February 7.
Pius IX's long reign profoundly shaped the modern papacy. In 1854 he solemnly defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in 1869–1870 he convened the First Vatican Council, which defined papal infallibility. His pontificate also witnessed the unification of Italy and the end of the Papal States in 1870.
He was declared Venerable in 1985 and beatified by Saint John Paul II on September 3, 2000, in Saint Peter's Square, together with Pope John XXIII.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Pope Pius IX
| Blessed Pope Pius IX | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | February 07 |
| Profession | Priest; bishop; pope |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church |
| Attributes | Papal tiara; pallium; papal vestments |
| Birthplace | Senigallia, Papal States (Italy) |
| Death Place | Apostolic Palace, Rome, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died February 7, 1878, at the Apostolic Palace in Rome |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome, Italy |
| Liturgical Class | Not included in the General Roman Calendar |
| Historic Class | Not included |
Biography
Birth and early life
Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti was born on May 13, 1792, in Senigallia, in the Papal States, into a noble family. As a young man he suffered from epilepsy, which for a time cast doubt on his suitability for the priesthood, but his health improved and he was ordained in 1819.
He served in pastoral and diplomatic roles, including a mission to Chile, and rose through the ranks of the Church as Archbishop of Spoleto and then Bishop of Imola, being created a cardinal in 1840.
Election and pontificate
On June 16, 1846, Mastai-Ferretti was elected pope and took the name Pius IX. His early reign raised hopes of political reform, but the revolutions of 1848 and the turbulence of Italian unification led him to a more cautious course.
In 1854 he solemnly defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. In 1864 he issued the encyclical *Quanta Cura* with the accompanying *Syllabus of Errors*, and in 1869 he opened the First Vatican Council, which in 1870 defined the dogma of papal infallibility.
Loss of the Papal States
During his pontificate the Papal States were absorbed into the newly unified Kingdom of Italy, and in 1870 Rome itself was taken. Pius IX regarded himself thereafter as the "prisoner of the Vatican," a situation that endured until the Lateran Treaty long after his death.
Death
Pius IX died on February 7, 1878, at the Apostolic Palace in Rome, after a pontificate of nearly thirty-two years, the longest in the history of the Church after Saint Peter. In accordance with his wish, he was buried in the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura.
Significant events
- Elected pope on June 16, 1846.
- Defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854.
- Issued the *Syllabus of Errors* in 1864.
- Convened the First Vatican Council (1869–1870), which defined papal infallibility.
- Beatified on September 3, 2000, by Pope John Paul II.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Senigallia, Papal States (Italy)
Death location: Apostolic Palace, Rome, Italy
Notable location: Papal residence during his pontificate (1846–1878) (Apostolic Palace, Vatican City)
Notable location: Basilica where he chose to be buried, according to his wish (Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, Rome, Italy)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Pope Pius IX have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| Powerful Prayer of Bl. Pope Pius IX to Release Five Souls From Purgatory | Under 5 minutes | Joy of Heaven |
Shrines
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Canonization
Venerable
Pope Pius IX was declared Venerable in 1985 in recognition of his heroic virtue.
Beatification
He was beatified on September 3, 2000, by Saint John Paul II in Saint Peter's Square, together with Pope John XXIII. He has not been canonized.
Feast day
February 07
Veneration
Blessed Pope Pius IX is venerated in the Diocese of Rome. His tomb in the Basilica of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura is a place of prayer for the faithful who honour his memory.
Prayers
Authored
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Intercessory
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