Pietro Boetto

Pietro Boetto, SJ (May 19, 1871 – January 31, 1946) was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church who served as Archbishop of Genoa from 1938 until his death, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1935.

Life and Church

Pietro Boetto was born in Vigone to Antonio and Caterina (née Anghilano) Boetto. One of two brothers and three sisters, he was confirmed by Bishop Filippo Chiesa of Pinerolo in 1883. Boetto attended the diocesan seminary of Giaveno from 1884 to 1888, when he entered the Society of Jesus on February 1. While studying at the novitiate in Chieri, he took his first vows on September 8, 1890. In 1901, he was ordained to the subdiaconate (July 28), diaconate (July 29), and finally priesthood (by Bishop Emiliano Manacorda on July 30).

After finishing his studies in theology in 1902, Boetto then served as a professor and the rector of the Genoese "Istituto Arecco" until 1904. He took his final vows as a Jesuit on February 2, 1906, whilst serving as rector of St. Thomas College in Cuneo (1905–1907). From 1907 to 1916, he was procurator of the Jesuit residence in Turin. Boetto was provincial of the Jesuit Province of Turin before going to Spain to serve as visitor to the Jesuit Provinces of Aragón (1919–1920) and later of Castilla (1920–1921). He also served as Procurator General of the Society of Jesus (1921–1928), provincial of the Roman Province (1928–1930), and Assistant to Italy (1930–1935).