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For Benedict XV, the first world war was dishonorable. In many messages, beginning in September of 1914, he addressed the war, calling it a “horrendous bloodbath which dishonors Europe, the suicide of civilized Europe, the darkest tragedy of human hatred and human madness, and a useless massacre.” His strict neutrality was based on the belief that he was the Father who loved all his children equally. Sadly each side of the conflict suspected him of supporting the other side, but clearly he saw himself and the Church in the role of peacemaker and reconciler. In his AD BEATISSIMI APOSTOLORUM
encyclical for peace, he wrote “the combatants are the greatest and wealthiest nations of the earth; what wonder, then, if, well provided with the most awful weapons modern military science has devised, they strive to destroy one another with refinements of horror.” His tried to send letters to all who were involved in the War, but nobody seemed to listen. Thus, he passed his stance through other popes and missionaries.
encyclical for peace, he wrote “the combatants are the greatest and wealthiest nations of the earth; what wonder, then, if, well provided with the most awful weapons modern military science has devised, they strive to destroy one another with refinements of horror.” His tried to send letters to all who were involved in the War, but nobody seemed to listen. Thus, he passed his stance through other popes and missionaries.