Pius IX and Freemasonry

While no extant documentation of Pius IX’s masonic membership appears to exist, the story continues to be popular.

PIUS IX

PAPAL ENCYCLICALS

ARS QUATUOR CORONATORUM

TRANSACTIONS
OF THE
QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE No. 2076 LONDON

Pius IX and Freemasonry

Was Pope Plus IX. a Freemason?—In conversation with one whose word I can trust both as a clergyman and a Mason, I found that when living in South America he ascertained that Pope Pius IX. was not only a Mason but a member and secretary of a Lodge in Monte Video in his younger days. This naturally interested me much, but from want of acquaintance in that city I have been unable to get some details I desired. As, however, Quatuor Coronati is a world wide Lodge I write in the hope that some brother, resident in or visiting Monte Video, may be able to trace and transcribe furtber evidence.

Meanwhile I may quote from the letters of my informant :

"In answer to your letter, it is a fact that the signature of Pope Pius IX. exists in one of the native Lodges of Monte Video. Soon after his ordination Mastai was sent out as 'auditor ' to the Vicar General of Chile. It is generally reported that he was initiated into Masonry in that country, although I have not been able to get the exact date. Anyhow, when later on he was appointed Apostolic delegate in the Uruguay, he appeared in the Lodges as a full-blown Mason. This matter is generally known and accepted as historical in S. America, both among Brethren of the Craft and profane persons. I forget the name of the Lodge, but it was an Italian one. However, it would be an easy matter to get a copy of his signature in the Lodge books by applying to the Venerable,'Loggia Italiana, Monte Video."

I wrote accordingly, but received no information. In a second letter my clerical friend, who lived in South America for many years, wrote :

"I am sorry that Bro. F. has been unable to send you the information required. But he is a junior appointed since the elimination of the independent Italian Lodges. It was in 1881 that I saw the signature. I forget the name of the Lodge, which I attended as a visitor."

I write in the hope that some brother across the ocean may be able to enquire into the matter. If the Lodge in question ceased to be, its records probably passed into the custody of some other Lodge.

J.W. Horsley.

Ars Quatuor Coronatorum vol. xxvi (1913) pp. 218-19.

The "Opera di San Pietro." —Mrs. Hugh Fraser, in her book of recollections, entitled More Italian Yesterday, tells the story of a poor mason called Giovanni Borgi," an operative, engaged on the staff at St. Peter’s at Rome about 1780:

He belonged to the "Opera di San Pietro " —that is he was one of the workmen engaged for life by the administration of St. Peter’s for the maintenance and repair of the Basilica, the Vatican Palace and its many dependent buildings. The "opera" was a closed corporation and included artisans of every necessary craft, from mosaic workers to bricklayers, plumbers and carpenters. Of course the privileges were largely hereditary, the Italian traditions of Guilds leading the son to follow the trade or profession of his father whenever possible, but high character and a blameless record were also indispensable qualifications for every appointment.

This reference, to an operative craft organisation, and the qualifications of its members is of interest, as a relic of mediaeval methods, and the character of Giovanni Borgi is in accord with our speculative use of the word 'Masonic.' Borgi spent hs nights in administering to sick and dying in the Hospital of Santo Spirito on the "Borgo," and his sympathy was aroused for the boy waifs and strays of the city for whom he founded an asylum. Pope Pius VI. bought the Palazzo Ruggia as a permanent home for the Asilo. The founder, "Tata" Giovanni, as he was affectionately called, died June 28th, 1798. In after years Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti of Sinigaglia, afterwards Pius IX., was for four years director of the institution.

It will be remembered that some interesting particulars about Pope Pius IX. and his actual membership of the Craft appeared in a recent volume (A.Q.C. xxvi., 218).

Gordon P.G. Hills

Ars Quatuor Coronatorum vol. xxxii (1919), "Notes and Queries" p. 174

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