Pope Benedict XV (Latin: Benedictus PP. XV; Italian: Benedetto XV, 21 November 1854 – 22 January 1922), born Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa, was an Italian priest of the Roman Catholic Church and the 259th Pope from 1914 until his death in 1922.[1]

His pontificate was largely overshadowed by World War I.[2]

Della Chiesa was ordained a priest on 21 December 1878.

Pope Pius X made della Chiesa Bishop of Bologna in 1907.

On 25 May 1914, Giacomo della Chiesa was created a cardinal.

Cardinal Della Chiesa was elected pope in 1914; and he chose to be called Benedict XV.[3]

Joan of Arc was canonized by Benedict.[4]

In 1918, Pope Benedict was excluded from the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, despite his entreaties to be made part of the talks.[4]

Benedict XV helped develop a Code of Canon Law.[4]

Benedict XV was the fourth Pope since the Kingdom of Italy took possession of Rome.[5]

Benedict XV fell ill with pneumonia (influenza) in early January 1922.[4] He died on 22 January 1922.[6]  The Italian Government lowered its flags to half-mast; and Benedict XV was the first pope to be honored in this way.[5]

In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI explained why he chose the name Benedict:

Media related to Benedictus XV at Wikimedia Commons

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