^Lot 342 Pope Pius IX

Italian pope (1792–1878), born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, who ascended the papal throne in 1846 and served until his death. Among the notable achievements of his 32-year reign, the longest in Roman Catholic Church history, Pius convened the historic First Vatican Council, which included the doctrine of papal infallibility. LS in Italian, signed “Pius PP. IX,” one page, 7.5 x 9.5, June 28, 1857. Letter to an unidentified princess. In part (translated): “I have heard much praise from several sources concerning the piety and the spirit of mortification which grace the holy Benedictine fathers you discuss in your letter and I thank God for having awakened in this century such an extraordinary spirit of penitence in them, His Servants. But since that same spirit is easier to admire than to imitate…I fear that holy perserverance may be lacking…On my return…I will review the entire dossier concerning these good priests…Receive the Apostolic Benediction which I bestow upon you and all your noble Family.” Page is affixed to an identical size page. In very good condition, with repaired tear to top right, central horizontal and vertical fold, one passing through a single letter of signature, and some light toning and soiling. Pius IX was unhappy with "this century" and often denounced it.