and Giovanna Sili. The youngest of 10 children born to a family of shepherds, Pietro was the favorite.

His cousin went on to become Cardinal Augusto Silj.

Pietro was a weak and sickly child, while his 9 siblings were strong and vivacious; some thought that he would not live long. His father would often sleep in the fields with the sheep, and Pietro entertained the family by reading stories of saints as the family was gathered by the warmth of the hearth. They would all be brought to tears

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