Secondo Pollo

After obtaining his high school diploma, Secondo Pollo was sent to Rome to continue his theological training at the Pontifical Lombard Seminary. A brilliant student, he earned a licentiate in philosophy at the Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas as well as a licentiate in theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1931. During his Roman years, he formed a deep friendship with the future Cardinal Giuseppe Siri. On August 15, 1931, he was ordained a priest by the Archbishop of Vercelli, Msgr. Giacomo Montanelli. He began his pastoral ministry as a teacher and spiritual director at the minor seminary, then located near the sanctuary of the Beata Vergine del Trompone in Moncrivello. From 1936 to 1940, he taught philosophy and theology at the major seminary of Vercelli. Alongside his teaching duties, he was appointed diocesan assistant for the youth of Catholic Action (Azione Cattolica), a role in which he displayed remarkable zeal in guiding and spiritually forming young people. He also served as a prison chaplain. When the Second World War broke out, Father Secondo Pollo, although exempt due to a severe visual impairment in his left eye, insistently requested to accompany his young parishioners and members of Catholic Action sent to the front. He was appointed lieutenant-military chaplain of the 3rd Battalion "Val Chisone" of the Alpine Division "Alpi Graie" (6th Alpine Division). At the end of 1941, his unit was deployed to Montenegro. On December 26, 1941, during a violent battle at Dragali (Montenegro), while moving under enemy fire to rescue and administer the last sacraments to a wounded soldier, he was mortally struck by machine-gun fire that severed his femoral artery. Conscious of his imminent end, he entrusted the pyx containing the Holy Communion and the Holy Oils to another chaplain, blessed his soldiers one last time, and passed away whispering: "I am going to God who is so good" (Vado a Dio che è tanto buono).

The reputation for holiness of Father Secondo Pollo spread immediately after his death, both among the soldiers of the Alpine Corps and among the clergy and faithful of Piedmont. For his heroic courage and dedication, the Italian State posthumously awarded him the Silver Medal of Military Valor. Initially buried in the Scagliari-Cattaro cemetery, his body was repatriated to Italy in 1961 to be interred in Caresanablot, before being solemnly transferred in 1968 to the Basilica of Sant'Andrea in Vercelli. The cause for beatification was officially opened at the diocesan level in Vercelli in 1955 and concluded in 1972. After a meticulous examination of his writings and his life, the Positio was published in 1994. On December 18, 1997, Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, conferring upon him the title of Venerable.

For his beatification, the Holy See examined the inexplicable healing of a patient suffering from a severe skin and joint condition, attributed to the intercession of Father Secondo Pollo. Following the favorable opinion of the medical commission and the theologians of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the miracle on May 2, 1998. On May 23, 1998, during his pastoral visit to Vercelli, Pope John Paul II celebrated the beatification mass of Father Secondo Pollo in Piazza Duomo, before a large crowd including many members of the Alpine troops. He thus became the first Alpine chaplain to be raised to the honors of the altar.

The spiritual life of Father Secondo Pollo was centered on a deep devotion to the Eucharist and a filial love for the Virgin Mary. He drew from daily Eucharistic adoration the strength necessary to fulfill his ministry among the youth and soldiers. His ultimate sacrifice at the front, motivated by boundless pastoral love, made him a model of charity for military chaplains throughout the world. He is today venerated as the patron saint and protector of the Alpini and Italian military chaplains.