Even if late in getting to Saint Pius X (+1914), better that than never. A peasant, he was the first such in centuries, the popes all being chosen from the ‘nobility’. He brought his simple ways into the papal office, rescinding the custom, amongst others, of Popes eating alone, established by Urban VIII in the early 17th century – yes, the same one who condemned Galileo, but also sent the Jesuit missionaries to the New World. Perhaps sharing a meal and a fine bottle of Chianti with the irascible scientist may have helped them smooth things over, and history would
