Cardinal Rampolla dies

Cardinal Rampolla, the great European statesman and diplomat, as well as a devoted and scholarly churchman, has passed away. He took ill during the day, after a religious ceremony and died shortly after midnight. While he has not been of full health for many years, his death has still come as a shock.

Rampolla, middle, during the inauguration of the first lift service in St Peter's Cathedral in Rome. He is joined by fellow cardinal, Cardinal Samminiatelli and engineer Signor Pesta. (Photo: Illustrated London News [London, England], 2 April 1910)

Rampolla acted as Secretary of State during Pope Leo XIII’s reign. At the time it was thought that he would succeed Pope Leo XIII. His candidacy gained momentum until the last moment when there was an objection for an unknown reason from the Austrian Emperor. Rampolla was still considered the most likely successor for current Pope Pius X.

The cardinal was 70 years of age at the time of his death.