Rampolla del Tindaro, Mariano, << rahm POHL lah dehl TEEN dah roh, mah RYAH noh >> (1843-1913), Marchese del Tindaro, became a cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and papal secretary of state in 1887. He shared responsibility for Pope Leo XIII’s policy of reconciling French Catholics to their country’s republican form of government. His efforts displeased not only the French monarchists, but also Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary. The emperor took extraordinary action in 1903, when the College of Cardinals met to elect a new pope, by registering a veto of Cardinal Rampolla. The exact effect of the emperor’s veto cannot be known, because popes are elected by secret vote. However, it seems likely that the veto prevented the choice of Rampolla, whose ability was well known.
Rampolla was born on Aug. 17, 1843, in Polizzi, Italy. He was ordained a priest in 1866. During his education at the Vatican seminary, he showed such ability, particularly in Oriental languages, that he was chosen for a career in Vatican diplomatic service. He died on Dec. 16, 1913.
