Giacomo Radini-Tedeschi

Giacomo Radini-Tedeschi (12 July 1859 - 22 August 1914, was the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bergamo. Today he is famous for his strong involvement in social issues at the beginning of 20th century.

Biography

He was born in Piacenza, the son of a wealthy and noble family.

Ordined as a priest in 1879, he became professor of canon law in the diocesan seminary of Piacenza. In 1890 he joined the Secretariat of State in the Vatican and was involved in many diplomatic missions.

In 1905 after the death of Pope Leo XIII, he was named Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bergamo on 5 January and consecrated by Pope Pius X in the Sistine Chapel.

A strong supporter of Catholic trade unions, he helped, through charity and prayer, the workers of a textile plant in Ranica.

He fell ill with cancer and died in the early days of the World War I.

His last words were, "Angelo," (referring to his secretary) "pray for peace".

Notes

During his episcopal ministry in Bergamo, he was helped by a young priest named Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli who later became Pope John XXIII.

For the late Pope John XXIII, Radini-Tedeschi was a teacher who was never forgotten by his one time follower.