Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-01-23
IN THRONE ROOM
Continued from PAGE Oncl

Ole religion predominant, was pariic-
ularly great sorrow to the Pope.
Those near to him said he deprecated
the German violation of Belgium.
When the Lusitania was sunk he tcIc-
graphed to the then Emperor William
his adherence of a deed which had
shocked the world
The successor of Plus Y was said "a
have combined the craftsmanship cf
Pope Leo NH with the grace of his
immediate predecessor. He endeavor-
ed. it is said. to carry out the idea Is
and policies of those two great church
men. But the World War. which
broke the heart of Plus y, saddcnc,i
the first four years of his pontificate
and prevented the fulfillment of some
of his aspirations.
One of the incidents of his pontifica
career was the visit which President
Wilson paid to him on January 4,
1919, when the president went to Rome
prior to the opening of the peace con-
ference at Paris. Social and treaty
questions were discussed, it is said.
during the private audience at the
conclusion of which Pope Benedict
presented to his guest a handsome
mosaic reproducing Guido Renis IA
nous picture of Saint Peter. valued at
$4,000.
One of the smallest mon physically
ever elected TO the chair of St. Peter.
the former Cardinal della Chiesa new
err expected to be thus honorcd by the
Sacred College and is said to have
wept when apprised OF his election.
He would have preferred. he said. to
remain a simple priest or. at most,
Cardinal and Archbishop of Bologna
On the day of his election he spoke
of the burden of responsibility thrust
upon zone frail brain" and expressed
his horror of the world conflict then
being waged and his hope that it
would quickly end. One week after his
coronation. when the Fishermaas Ring
was placed upon his finger, he issued
an Encyclical to the ep;scopacy of the
world in which rulers were eXhorted
to put aside discussions and to ENTER
into council of peace with all speed."
The appeal fell on stony ground. how
ever. and later on December II, 1914,
the Vatican authorities announced the
Pope's plan for a Christmas truce was
falling because of the opposition of
certain power" Reports were that
Russia and Turkey had refused to ac-
quiesce. Along a thousand miles of
Day, thousands of cannon Numbered
an answer to Bencdict's appeal to clay
down your arms"
Again on January is. 1915. Pope
Benedict took up the task of bringing
peace to war-torn world, decreeing
that on February Z. priests and laity
of the Catholic church throughout the
world should unite in services and
prayers for the restoration of univer-
sal amity and good will. The next &c.
casion Benedict exercised his humane
prerogative was on July IS. 1915. the
first anniversary of the war, when he
issued an appeal to all rulers, declar-
ing that blessed be he who first er-
tends the olive branch and tenders mis-
hand to the enemy in Offering his
reasonable conditions of peace"
In March, 1915, the Pope again
reiterated his prayer for the dawn of
a new and better day. Each
belligerent should clearly state his
DESIRES" he said, but should be
ready to make the necessary sacri-
fees of pride and particular inter-
ests." Previously Benedict had writ
ten to the late Emperor Francis
Joseph of Austria asking him to
Shorten the war;" and likewise