Folia Theologica et Canonica 9. 31/23 (2020)
Sacra theologia
60 SZABOLCS ANZELM SZUROMI, O.PRAEM. from the “objective” picture.2 Following Michael Ray’s “timeline”, the so called Great War had begun on July 28th 1914 (exactly one month later than the Sarajevo assassination) with war declaration on Serbia by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and escalated between August 1st and 28th 1914, by entry of the main Powers of both sides; which was supplemented on November 5th, involving the Ottoman Empire. Italy stepped into the war only on April 26th 1915 at the side of the Entente Powers (after a secret treaty of London). This date is crucial not only for Italy, but also for the Holy See.3 Nevertheless, thanks to several researchers and authors, publications and researches in different National and private archives - beside Archivio Segreto Vaticano - for now is quite clear that Pope Benedict was a pope of peace, not a romanticist, but a Holy Pontiff with strong will, who tried to use every channel which was available for him on the international legal basis, and as a Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church to hinder the war and further bloodshed. Walter H. Peters4 and John F. Pollard5 made particular effort for historians to enlighten Pope Benedict XV’ indispensable role in promoting peace among the great powers, even his instruments were extremely limited, and his international legal status was very weak. He was elected Pope on September 3rd 1914; a little more than a month later when the so called “Great War” had begun. Already five days after he had accepted St. Peter’s Chair, on September 8th 1914 he addressed a speech to the involved powers, asking them “put down your weapons” and expressed his prayers - calling the peoples to do the same - for ending the war. This brave act shows well his commitment for peace, which was not a romantic idea, but a clear voice in a confuse time. Obviously, in the focus of this summary must be the famous peace initiative of August 1st 1917. However, it was a concluding - failed - act of the Roman Pontiff, after many previous humanitarian and peace negotiations. Therefore, 2 Cf. Einhaus, A.-M., The Short Story and the First World War, Cambridge 2013. Röhl, J. C. G., Kaiser Wilhelm II, Cambridge 2014. 143-177. Greenhalgh, E., The French Army and the First World War (Armies of the Great War), Cambridge 2014. Gooch, J., The Italian Army and the First World War (Armies of the Great War), Cambridge 2014. Woodword, D., The American Army and the First World War (Armies of the Great War), Cambridge 2014. Beckett, I., The British Army and the First World War (Armies of the Great War), Cambridge 2017. Vermeiren, J., The First Wold War and German Identity. The Dual Alliance at War, Cambridge 2016. Levy, J. S., The Outbreak ofthe First World War. Structure, Politics, and Decision-Making, Cambridge 2014. Mulligan, W., The Origins of the First World War, Cambridge 2017. Winter, J., War beyond Words. Languages of Remambrance from the Great War to the Present, Cambridge 2017. Ransom, R. L., Gambling on War. Confidence, Fear, and Tragedy of the First World War, Cambridge 2018. 3 https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-world-war-i (visited: January 15th 2021). 4 Peters, W. H., The Life of Benedict XV, Milwaukee, WI. 1959. 5 Pollard, J. F., The Unknown Pope. Benedict XV (1914-1922) and the Pursuit of Peace, London-New York 1999.
