May 16, 2012 3:05am

May 16, 1955: The Archbishop of Milan, Giovanni Montini

This is a very unique photo and blessing of Pope Paul VI while he was the Archbishop of Milan. It is dated May 16th, 1955. His actual baptismal name, Giovanni Battista Montini is used.

There are three lines written in his own hand on this photograph. It is a blessing for a priest's twenty-fifth anniversary.

This is a very unique portrait of him prior to his pontificate and the only one Father Kunst has seen like this for Paul VI.

When referring to a blessing, these are normally photos of a pope with fancy calligraphy by another hand. They are then signed by the pope with a few extra lines written in their own hand as is the case with this one.

Giovanni Montini spent a brief amount of time working as an attache to the nuncio in Warsaw before being recalled to Rome where he remained for the next thirty years eventually becoming known as the right hand of Cardinal Pacelli, Secretary of State to Pius XI. It was Montini, under Cardinal Pacelli's direction, who organized the extensive relief efforts and care for political refugees during WW II. In 1953, Pius XII appointed Montini Archbishop of Milan where his impact was so great he attracted world-wide attention as the archbishop of the workers..

You may read a biography of the future Pope Paul VI (1963 - 1978) under Papal Histories. A you-tube is also featured there. Artifacts belonging to or connected to him begin on page 4 of Papal Artifacts.

Paul VI died on the feast of the Transfiguration, August 6, 1978. He is buried in St. Peter's Basilica in a tomb marked by its simplicity--as was his funeral. This was according to his wishes.

Paul VI: A Photograph With a Blessing While He Was the Archbishop of Milan 1963-1978

A very unique photo and blessing of Pope Paul VI while he was the Archbishop of Milan. It is dated May 16th, 1955. His actual baptismal name, Giovanni Battista Montini is used. There are three lines written in his own hand on... read more »