Pope invokes words of Great War's Vicar of Christ

Benedict XV held up as positive example to Holy See diplomats

Pope Benedict XV (1914-1922) tried numerous peace offensives during the First World War. 

Pope Francis greeted over 180 diplomats accredited to the Holy See Jan. 13. His remarks were mainly on war-torn areas, including South Sudan and Syria; the Pontiff also used the words of another Holy Father from a century ago:

"Everywhere, the way to resolve open questions must be that of diplomacy and dialogue. This is the royal road already indicated with utter clarity by Pope Benedict XV when he urged the leaders of the European nations to make 'the moral force of law' prevail over the 'material force of arms' in order to end that 'needless carnage' which was the First World War, whose centenary occurs this year.

What is needed is courage 'to go beyond the surface of the conflict' and to consider others in their deepest dignity, so that unity will prevail over conflict and it will be 'possible to build communion amid disagreement.'"