Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-01
PEACE APPEAL ISSUED
ny POPE RENEDICT


PARIS, July 31.-The text OF the
peace appeal just issued by Pope Bene.
dict reads as follows:
when we were called to succeed to
the apostolic throne of Pope Plus X.
whose upright and exemplary life was
brought to an end by the fratricidal
struggle which broke out in Europe,
we, too. felt-after gazing fearfully
upon the bloody battle field-the de-
spair of father who witnesses his
home torn asunder and ravaged by n
furious tempest.
I'VE thought, with inexpressible sor-
row, of our young sons cut down by
death: we felt in our heart. enlarged
by Christian charitableness, the great
unspeakable sadness of mothers and OF
wives made widows before their time,
and the tears of children deprived too
soon Of parental guidance.
participating in our soul in the
fear and anguish of innumerable fam
lilies, and we'll knowing the imperial
duties imposed upon us by the mission
OF peace and love with which we have
been confided during these sad days,
we adopted firm resolve TO conccn-
trate our whole activity and all our
power to the reconciliations of the
peoples at war. We made solemn
promise to our Divine Father, who
wished with the price of His blood to
make all men brothers.
Words of peace and love were the
first we addressed to the nations and
their chiefs as the supreme guardian
of their souls. Our affectionate and
insistent counsels as father and friend
were not heard. This increased our
sadness. We continued with confidence
to appeal to the All Powerful, who
holds In His hands the minds and
hearts of subjects as we'll as of Kings
imploring Him to end the great
scourge.
I'm our humble but ardent prayer we
want to include all the faithful, and, to
| make II more effective, we have taken
care that it be accompanied by works
OF Christian penitence.
TO day, on the sad anniversary OF
the terrible conflict, our heart gives
forth the wish that the war will soon
end. We raise again our voice to utter
fatherly cry for peace. May this cry
dominating the frightful noise Of arms
reach the warning peoples and their
, chiefs, and induce kindly and more
serene intentions.
III VIC VI the l-OTu the
name Of the Father and Lord in heaven;
in the name of the blessed blood OF
Jesus--the price Of redemption Of hu-
manity-we implore the belligerent ma :
lions before Divine Providence hence
forth to end the horrible carnage.
which for year has been dishonoring
Europe.
This is the blood OF brothers that
Is being shed on land and sea. The
most beautiful regions of Europe
this garden of the world-are sown
with bodies and ruins. There. where
recently fields and factories thrived,
cannon now roar in h frightful man.
ner In frenzy of demolition, sparing
neither cities nor villages. and spread
Ing the ravages Of death"
You who before God and men are
charged with the grave responsibility
Of peace and war, listen TO our PRAYERS
listen to the fatherly voice Of the vicar
OF the Eternal and Supreme Judge To
Whom you should give account of your
public works as well as private actions
ABUNDANT RICHES
PERMIT CONTINUANCE
! THE abundant riches which the ere.
nting God has given to your lands per-
mits you to continue the contest; but
at what q price? Is the answer OF
thousands Of young whose lives are LOST
| each day on the battlefelds and Of the
ruins Of so many cities and villages. &c
| many monuments due TO the piety ant