This pope needs to be re-introduced to the Catholic world. Truly gifted and a powerful writer whose wisdom would do us well today -- this pope was also a model for holiness. A great lover of peace and understanding. Sadly, he has been overlooked and in some sense "shelved". His pontificate, his writings, his cry for peace, were eclipsed by the first world war but his points for a lasting peace were largely adopted by US President Wilson who deeply admired this pope. A great pope. I visit his tomb in St Peter's with much respect and admiration and visit the church of San Eustachio in Rome where he prayed, said Mass and preached before becoming pope.
A reading history does show that Wilson and the Allies refused to allow the Holy See to havew input into the peace conference in Versailles. However, Wilson admired Benedict. The final "14 points" of Wilson encompass much of Benedict's thought which the Holy Father expressed to Wilson in person and in letters. During the war the Allies totally rebuffed any peace initiatives from the Holy See. It wan not because of a hatred for the Holy See but rather politics. "The pope of peace".
One of my favorite Popes!
ReplyDeleteThis pope needs to be re-introduced to the Catholic world. Truly gifted and a powerful writer whose wisdom would do us well today -- this pope was also a model for holiness. A great lover of peace and understanding. Sadly, he has been overlooked and in some sense "shelved". His pontificate, his writings, his cry for peace, were eclipsed by the first world war but his points for a lasting peace were largely adopted by US President Wilson who deeply admired this pope. A great pope. I visit his tomb in St Peter's with much respect and admiration and visit the church of San Eustachio in Rome where he prayed, said Mass and preached before becoming pope.
ReplyDeleteMichael-I thought President Wilson rejected the peace overtures of Pope Benedict XV!
ReplyDeleteThis Holy Father, along with Blessed Emperor Karl I of Austria-Hungary, were the only leaders to make attempts at peace in World War I.
A reading history does show that Wilson and the Allies refused to allow the Holy See to havew input into the peace conference in Versailles. However, Wilson admired Benedict. The final "14 points" of Wilson encompass much of Benedict's thought which the Holy Father expressed to Wilson in person and in letters.
ReplyDeleteDuring the war the Allies totally rebuffed any peace initiatives from the Holy See. It wan not because of a hatred for the Holy See but rather politics. "The pope of peace".