Pius XI

An appealing and readable life of one of the greatest men of the early twentieth century: Pius XI as he appeared on the stage of history, and Pius the man as his closest friends knew and loved him. Pope Pius XI (born Ambrogio Damiano Achille Ratti: 31 May 1857 - 10 February 1939) reigned as Pope from 6 February 1922 to his death in 1939. He was the first sovereign of Vatican City from its creation as an independent state on 11 February 1929. He took as his papal motto, "Pax Christi in Regno Chri