ROBERTO ZILERI DAL VERME. — Italian Catholic deputy and organizer, b. Rome 25 Oct. 1858, d. Vicenza 28 Feb. 1937.
He was among the first to take part in the Catholic movement. He distinguished himself especially in the work of the “Niccolò Tommaso” for the Christian renewal of schools. He also served as president of Catholic cooperatives of production and labour. Elected mayor of Vicenza in 1896, the first Catholic mayor of a provincial capital, he administered with distinction and stood firm against his opponents. In July 1897 the Rudinì ministry, inaugurating an anti-clerical policy, dissolved the municipal council. After a few years Z. returned to the council with a clerical-moderate majority as assessor for public works. He also served several terms as provincial councillor. He volunteered for the independence of the Boers in South Africa and for the ill-fated attempt to restore the monarchy in Portugal. At the time of the Calabrian-Sicilian earthquake of Dec. 1908 he was among the first on the scene, and from Bl. Pius X, who knew him well, he received many assignments in relief work. For a long time after the disaster he worked with the Servant of God Fr. Orione to gather up the orphans. During the Libyan War and the First World War, though advanced in years, he volunteered his services with the Red Cross in the most exposed ambulances, and afterwards presided in Vicenza over the National Work for Civil and Religious Assistance to War Orphans. At the same time he maintained his place in Catholic Action, presiding over the diocesan board.
When the Italian People’s Party arose in 1919, he joined immediately and was elected deputy for a Vicentine constituency in the 20th Legislature. A sincere supporter of the Conciliation, he expressed his exultation at the Lateran Pacts of 1929.