Pope Pius IX

Death and beatification

Pius IX died on 7 February 1878 from natural causes. His body was originally buried in St. Peter's grotto, but was moved 13 July 1881 to the Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura. Upon this occassion, a mob tried unsuccessfully to seize the body of the late Pontiff and throw it into the Tiber River. Although largely loved by Catholic masses, Pius was not, at the time of his death and even in 1881, popular with the people of Rome or with the educated classes.

Related Topics:
13 July - 1881 - Basilica di San Lorenzo fuori le Mura - Tiber

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His beatification was begun on February 11, 1907 and relaunched three times before he was made venerable (July 6, 1985) and then beatified on September 3, 2000 by Pope John Paul II, in a ceremony that also beatified the late Pope John XXIII, who died in 1963. The beatification of Pius IX is a subject of controversy in light of some of his actions during his time as Pope, as well as to lingering questions concerning his own mental well-being in the last years of his reign. Some Jews and Catholics have expressed concern that if Pius IX is declared a saint, it would seriously hamper Catholic-Jewish relations.

Related Topics:
Beatification - February 11 - 1907 - Venerable - July 6 - 1985 - September 3 - 2000 - John Paul II - John XXIII - 1963 - Saint

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