Pietro La Fontaine

Who was Pietro La Fontaine?

The Servant of God Pietro La Fontaine was an Italian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, a member of the Roman Curia in Vatican City, and Patriarch of Venice.

Pietro La Fontaine was born in 1860 in Viterbo, Italy and was ordained a priest in 1884. He was appointed and ordained Bishop of Cassano all'Jonio, Italy in 1906.

In 1910 he was named Secretary of the Congregation of Rites by Pope Pius X. In 1915 he was appointed and installed as Patriarch of Venice and was elevated to Cardinal in the consistory of 16 December 1916 by Pope Benedict XV with the title of Cardinal-Priest of Ss. Nereo ed Achilleo. Cardinal La Fontaine's title was later changed to Cardinal-Priest of Ss. XII Apostoli in 1921. As Cardinal, he participated in the Papal conclave that elected Pope Pius XI.

He died on 9 July 1935 after having served as Patriarch of Venice for over 20 years.

The cause for beatification of Pietro La Fontaine, leading to possible canonisation was opened under his third successor, Cardinal Patriarch Giovanni Urbani.