Omaha daily bee., 1922-01-22
Pope Benedict Strove
to Bring Peace to World
Used Influence in Efforts to Stop World War-Was
259th Successor of st. Peter as Supreme Head
of Catholic Church-Noted for
Generosity.


German and Austrian rulers that 4
ruthless" submarine policy would
ALLEVIATE the sympathy OF all neu,fals
When Berlin put out ono OF lis in
Vulnerable peace "iseiefs," Bene-
dict, IN reply, insisted Germany
must stop It's deportation Of Bel,
glan civilians and fepatfiaie all
eNllss. In September. 1918. the
Vatican finally announced il would
take steps toward bringing about
peace only when invited 20 do so by
both groups OF belligerents.
Panied by the shelling OF Paris by
The German long-fange guns in the
spring Of 1918, Pope Benedict sent
a protest 10 Emperor Charlie! OF
Austria and 10 the Berlin govern
ment against what he characterized
as "A wanton massacre"
Gratihed At Capture.
The pope's qualification ever the
capture OF Jerusalem by the allies
under the British General Allenby
caused bitter comment in the Ger
man press. According TO the Rome
Messagero on December lS, 1917,
a few days after the fall Of the holy
city, he warned Christian states
against aiding the Turks in recap
turing Il.
Pope Benedict's attitude toward
the peace conference OF 1919 was
said TO have been one OF iatherly
solieiiude. Early the previous De-
eember, in letter to President Will
son, he pleaded for aid on behalf OF
oppressed nationalities and later
committed the church OF which he
was the head TO do all in its power
10 support the decisions Of the dele
gates at Versailles In all OF his
messages and addresses he expressed
The hope that peace would be based
iRon Christian principles.
While the peoples Of every land
we're suffering in some form .he
'lgors OF war, the pope personally
observed all the rules for food con-
'ervation formulated by the Italian
authorities and with his own hand
ordered the Vatican on food card
'ations which continued until the
nd OF the conflict.
Simplicity at Table.
Always abstemious in eating and
Thinking, Benedict XIV observed even
,reater simplicity at the table dur
ng the troublous days of his pontif-
ate. Visitors have said that he
ived as plainly as the poorest con-
ributors of Peters pence.
Giacoma della Chiesa, the spiritual
lead of 300000,000 Catholics, was
'orn of noble line at Pegli, Italy, on
November 2l, 1854. His father was
he Marchese della Chiesa (pro-
ounced Keeaza). He received his
ducation at the Capronican college
nd later attended the Academy of
scclesiastics. Ordained to the
riesthood in 1873 he soon attracted |
he attention Of Cardinal Rampolla,
Who under Pope Leo XIII was the
apal secretary of state. He accom-
'anied Rampella to Madrid in 1883
When his patron was nuncio, re-
naming there until 1887, when he re-
urned to Rome upon the elevation of
lampolla to the cardinalate.
In 1901, after having served four
ears as secretary of the nunciature
, Spain he was appointed secretary
t the cypher. This position gave its
icumbent considerable authority and
he same year Mgr. della Chiesa was
amed as consultor of the holy Office.
Notable Promotion.
A notable promotion came to him
n December 10, 1907. when Pope
ius X appointed della Chiesa as
Ichbishop of the important see OF
ologna to succeed the late Cardinal
vampa. His administration of this
flee for seven years was character
led, it is said, by prudence and
iplomacy. His conservation as an
was performed by Plus
imself in the Sistine Chapel, an
onor so unusual that it attracted
1orld-wide attention. Archbishop
ella Chiesa was made a Cardinal n
lay 1914, less than six months be-
IRE mounting the throne of St.
eters.
He took his ecclesiastical title
ON Pope Benedict XIV, one Of
1e ablest pontiffs of the church,
ho was born in Bologna on March
|, 1867, and died on May 3, 1888.
Benedict XV's personal appearance
as been described as follows: "A
ian physically ill-favored but gifted
18th great intelligence; short Of
ature, ascetically thin, with the
ght shoulder raised above the left,
I'd giving one the impression of ex-
.eme nervousness and weakess. But
hen he raised his head the visitors
lstinctively felt that they were III
lie presence of man equipped with
intellectual powers and
nergy. He reminded one of the
oted poet, Leopard. With an ample
row, surrounded by coal black hair,
lack eyes, lively and penetrating, 4
lrge mouth with thin lips full of
xpression, the pope conveyed the
IMPRESSION of a man of few freind-
hips but these most sincere, devoted
nd lasting"
Noted for Generosity.
Always "a friend in need" as a
relate Of his church once said of
i'm, Pope Benedict demonstrated
is readiness to avert hardship to
oor people by advancing 100000
. save a financial institution of
Tome from bankruptcy in the spring
f 1918. This was in keeping with
is reputation from the time he was
rdained a priest in 1873 to the day
f his death. When he was made a