Pope Pius X, born Joseph Sarto, was the second of 10 children in a poor Italian family and became pope at age 68, going on to be one of the 20th century's greatest popes. He is best remembered for encouraging frequent reception of Holy Communion, especially by children. Ever mindful of his humble origins, he said, "I was born poor, I lived poor, I will die poor," and was embarrassed by the pomp of the papal court, telling an old friend through tears, "Look how they have dressed me up," and confiding to another, "It is a penance to be forced to accept all these practices. They lead me around surrounded by soldiers like Jesus when he was seized in Gethsemani." Politically engaged, he encouraged Italian Catholics toward greater political involvement and ended governments' supposed right to veto papal elections, a practice that had constrained the 1903 conclave that elected him. In 1905, when France renounced its agreement with the Holy See and threatened to confiscate Church property unless it gained control over Church affairs, Pius X courageously refused the demand. Though he did not write a famous social encyclical as his predecessor had, he denounced the mistreatment of indigenous peoples on Peru's plantations, sent relief to Messina after an earthquake, and sheltered refugees at his own expense. On the 11th anniversary of his election, World War I began, a catastrophe he had foreseen and which hastened his death. He said, "This is the last affliction the Lord will visit on me. I would gladly give my life to save my poor children from this ghastly scourge." He died weeks after the war began and was canonized in 1954.