Pope from September 3, 1914 - January 22, 1922
Lived: November 21, 1854 - January 22, 1922
Who was this guy before he was pope?
Giacomo della Chiesa was born in a suburb of Genoa, and supposedly boasted two popes in his ancestry: Callistus II on his father’s side, and Innocent VII on his mother’s. Though he felt a call to the priesthood early on, his father insisted he study law instead. After graduating in 1875, Giacomo was permitted by Papa della Chiesa to pursue priesthood, which he did in Rome until his 1878 ordination. His skill and piety caught the eye of a powerful churchman, Cardinal Rampolla, after which Giacomo followed his new boss to several diplomatic appointments. Pope St. Pius X himself consecrated Giacomo a bishop in 1907, and even donated his own crozier and episcopal ring to the new prelate. Giacomo, as Archbishop of Bologna, was made a cardinal in 1914, just months before his next promotion.
Give me the scoop on Benedict XV.
The unassuming and mild-mannered Benedict XV was chosen to succeed Pius X on September 3, 1914. He was picked for his skill in diplomacy, as well as his desire to unite Europe as it descended into World War I -- a conflict Benedict himself called “the suicide of Europe.” Benedict promulgated the new Code of Canon Law in 1917, despite giving credit to his predecessor, and he worked hard to repair relations with France. His canonization of St. Joan of Arc, though most definitely warranted on its own merits, was a helpful step in that regard. Benedict also did the Eastern Rites a solid by establishing the Congregation for Eastern Rites and the Oriental Institute in Rome.
Reigning for barely seven years, after the Church had seen just three popes in the previous sixty-eight, Benedict XV died at age 67 on January 22, 1922, having contracted pneumonia in the previous month.
What was he known for?
Ironically, Benedict XV is best known for being the “Unknown Pope.” Due to his own meekness compared to the magnanimous reigns of the three Popes Pius who bookended his own reign, Benedict is often forgotten in the annals of 20th Century pontiffs -- a fact he probably wouldn’t mind.
However, it’s really thanks to Benedict and his keen eye for talent that Pius XI and Pius XII were able to find so much success later on. It was Benedict who jumped Monsignor Achille Ratti out of the Vatican Library and into diplomatic work in Poland, just four years before he became Pius XI. Similarly, Benedict put Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli in charge of work with prisoners of war, and also made him nuncio to Munich, in order to prepare the future Pius XII for his monumental battle against Hitler and Nazism.
Lived: November 21, 1854 - January 22, 1922
Birth name: Giacomo della Chiesa
Giacomo della Chiesa was born in a suburb of Genoa, and supposedly boasted two popes in his ancestry: Callistus II on his father’s side, and Innocent VII on his mother’s. Though he felt a call to the priesthood early on, his father insisted he study law instead. After graduating in 1875, Giacomo was permitted by Papa della Chiesa to pursue priesthood, which he did in Rome until his 1878 ordination. His skill and piety caught the eye of a powerful churchman, Cardinal Rampolla, after which Giacomo followed his new boss to several diplomatic appointments. Pope St. Pius X himself consecrated Giacomo a bishop in 1907, and even donated his own crozier and episcopal ring to the new prelate. Giacomo, as Archbishop of Bologna, was made a cardinal in 1914, just months before his next promotion.
Give me the scoop on Benedict XV.
The unassuming and mild-mannered Benedict XV was chosen to succeed Pius X on September 3, 1914. He was picked for his skill in diplomacy, as well as his desire to unite Europe as it descended into World War I -- a conflict Benedict himself called “the suicide of Europe.” Benedict promulgated the new Code of Canon Law in 1917, despite giving credit to his predecessor, and he worked hard to repair relations with France. His canonization of St. Joan of Arc, though most definitely warranted on its own merits, was a helpful step in that regard. Benedict also did the Eastern Rites a solid by establishing the Congregation for Eastern Rites and the Oriental Institute in Rome.
Reigning for barely seven years, after the Church had seen just three popes in the previous sixty-eight, Benedict XV died at age 67 on January 22, 1922, having contracted pneumonia in the previous month.
What was he known for?
Ironically, Benedict XV is best known for being the “Unknown Pope.” Due to his own meekness compared to the magnanimous reigns of the three Popes Pius who bookended his own reign, Benedict is often forgotten in the annals of 20th Century pontiffs -- a fact he probably wouldn’t mind.
However, it’s really thanks to Benedict and his keen eye for talent that Pius XI and Pius XII were able to find so much success later on. It was Benedict who jumped Monsignor Achille Ratti out of the Vatican Library and into diplomatic work in Poland, just four years before he became Pius XI. Similarly, Benedict put Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli in charge of work with prisoners of war, and also made him nuncio to Munich, in order to prepare the future Pius XII for his monumental battle against Hitler and Nazism.
"Christian charity ought not to be content with not hating our enemies and loving them as brothers; it also demands that we treat them with kindness."
Fun Fact: Pope Benedict XV’s quest for peace during the war was recognized even by the non-Christian Turks in Istanbul. A statue of the late pontiff was erected outside St. Esprit Cathedral there, with the inscription, “The great Pope of the world tragedy … the benefactor of all people, irrespective of nationality or religion.” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI echoed the same thing toward his namesake following his 2005 election, saying, “In his footsteps I place my ministry in the service of reconciliation and harmony between peoples.”
What else was going on in the world at the time?
On the very day that Pope Benedict XV consecrated Eugenio Pacelli -- the future Pope Pius XII -- a bishop, on May 13, 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal.
Coming tomorrow...Pope Pius XI
John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
What else was going on in the world at the time?
On the very day that Pope Benedict XV consecrated Eugenio Pacelli -- the future Pope Pius XII -- a bishop, on May 13, 1917, the Blessed Mother appeared to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal.
Coming tomorrow...Pope Pius XI
SOURCES (and further reading)
John, E. (1964). The Popes: A concise biographical history. New York: Hawthorn Books.
Pope Benedict XV - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XV
Pope Benedict XV - https://www.ewtn.com/pope/life/benedict15.asp
The ‘Unknown Pope’ - http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-unknown-pope-how-benedict-xv-is-relevant-today-48092/
P.S. Eight's the magic number ... stay tuned for exciting news about next year!