Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-22
Try Associnted press1

tOIic ChurCI. began his pont!iiCatC on
September 6. 1914. soon after Europe
entered upon it's four years ~ war.
Upon many occasions during the war
he endeavored To briuE the bcuigcr-nt
nations To peace agreement ANA
thus to maintain tho title which had
been affcctionatcly bestowed upon
him by "A high dlgmitary ~ his COM
munion as n messenger God sent 10
bring peace"
The war between Italy and Austria.
In both OF which peoples OF the Cath
Ollie religion predominant. WAS par
ticuiarly great sorrow 70 the Pope
Those near TO him said ne deprecated
the German violation OF Belgium.
When the LuSitania was sunk he telc-
Eraphed to the then Emperor William
his adherence Of Il decd which had
shocked tn" world.
wnr Snddcucd pontifratc.
The successor of PiuG y. was said
to have combined the Statcsmanship
OF Pope Leo Nil. with the rracc OF
his immediate predecessor. He en-
deavored. IL is said. In carry ont the
ideals and policies OF those two great
churchmen. But the world war.
which broke the heart OF Plus y.
saddcned the first four years Of his
pontincatc and prevented tn" fulfill
mcnt OF some OF his aspirations.
One OF the incidents OF his ponti-
fetal career WAS the visit which Pres
idcnt Wilson paid 10 him OH January
4, 1919. when tho President went I"
Rome prior 10 the opening OF the
peace conference at Paris. Social ana
treaty questions were discussed, II ISL
said. during the private audience, at
the conclusion Of which Pope Benc-
dict presented to his guest - hand
some mosaic reproducing Guido EcnI'S
famous picture Of Saint Peter. valued
at $4,000.
One OF tho smallest mon physically
ever elected TO the chair Of 81. Peter.
tho former Cardinal della Chics,l
never expected 10 hc thus honored
by the Sacred College. ana is sa!d
to have wcpt when appraised OF his
election. He would have preferred
he said, to remain Il simple priest or.
Mt most. Cardinal and Archbishop OF
Bologna.
Sought Christmas Truce.
on the day of his election he spoke
of the burden of responsibility thrust
upon lone frail brain" and expressed
his horror OF the world conflict then
being waEed. and his hope that IL
would quickly end. one week after
his coronation, when the FiShcrm;LI'S
Ring was placed upon his finger. he
issued an encyclical to the Cpiscopacy
OF the world. in which rulers were
to center into n council Of peace with
all speed" The appeal fell on stony
ground. however and later, on De-
cember IL, 1914. the Vatican authori-
ties announced the Pope's plan for =
Christmas truce was failing BECAUSE
of the opposition of a certain power"
Reports were that Russia and Turkey
had refused to ncQuicscc. Along n
thousand miles OF battle front the fol-
lowing Christmas Day, thousands e
cannon Numbered an answer To Rene
diets appeal TO lay down your
arms"
Again on January Is. 1915. Pope
Benedict took UP the task of bringing
peace TO n war-torn world decr.viug
that on February { priests arJ laity
of the Catholic Church throughout the
world should unite in services and
prayers for the restoration OF uni
vcrsal am!ty and good Will. The next
occasion Benedict exercised his hu-
manc prcroSatve was on July 2S.
1915, the first anniversary OF the war,
when he issued an appeal to all
rulers, declaring that blessed be he
who first extends the olive branch
and tenders his hand TO the enemy In
Offering his reasonable conditions OF
peace"
In March. 1916, the Pore again re-
tterated his prayer for the drwn OF
new and better day. Each brlliG-
erent should clearly state his dss:rcs.'
he said, but should be ready 80 make
the necessary sacrifices OF pr.d" and
particular interests. Previously
Benedict had wr!tte.a TO the Lar. EN-
reror Francis Joseph. OF Austria ask
Ing him 10 shorten the war" and
likewise sounded the then Emperor Of
Germany as TO the terms upon which
he would lay down the cage ~ bat
tie.
Sent Message Ia Wilson.
In May. 1916 Monsignor Houhano.
pnpal delegate To Washington. Geily-
errb to president Wilson d message
from the Pope, in which he lntnautad
that America might vOluntce- to con-
cili3te the European hclIiEvreuts IN.
note came at q time when the United
states and Germany were i'm tn" inidst
of n diplomatic crisis and Mr. Wilson.
In his reply. did not respond 10 The
Pontiffs suggestions for bringing
about peace. The next communion
lion from the Vatican TO the White
House came on January lG 1917. and
contained the approval 10y Benedict Of
the Presidents peace note. Three
months later the United States her
self had resorted 10 the arhitraincnt
Of arms and entered the struggle on
the side OF the allies.
vi -tuE OSl . ltI q SUN IonCiul Of
saving the world from a Ncritablc
ra taciysm. Pope Benedict issued in
his, own handwriting his famous APP
PEAL to the nations. cNhorIug the
bellIgerent rulers 20 end the WAY FOR
the. sake OF humanity
One passage read: AS to tho dam
ages to be repaired ana as 10 the war
Expenses, we Sec no other means of
to'vtng the question than by submit
ling general principle coInplatc
Ind reciprocal conformation, which
3 you'd be justified. moreover. bt the
immense benefit 10 be derived from
safmament. so much SO that mo one
& will understand the continuation OF
similar carnage. solely for reasons
kf nm economic ORDER Tho Pope.
however. recommended tho .vucua-
non of Belg ium by the GcTmuiis. self
& leterInination and freedom of small
! ,ati1ns. Earlier In that year G.l7y
he had warned the German ana AUS
rian rulers that Il RUTHLESS" sub
marine policy would ALLEVIATE IN" synl-
tathy of all neutrals. When Berlin
but, out one OF her innuIn.raLlc peace
i Setfers." Benedict. in reply. Insisted
Germany must stop her deportation
" Belgian civilians and repatriate all
II,