Source: File: Pope
Benedict.jpg, BBC NEWS | Europe | A new Benedict enters the
Vatican. [online] (updated Wednesday,
20 April, 2005,) Available
at: <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4464355.stm> Accessed: 13 December 2014].
By papal conclave, a successor
Was sought, for Pope Pious -
Came a new Bishop of Rome,
At a time of European struggle.
The College of Cardinals
Had elected this pontificate,
To give the church a long rule.
Thus election of a young man
Of 59, to become Pope Benedict -
Giovanni Battista Della Chiesa,
On 3 September 1914.
Only a month into war's outbreak,
Benedict looked sadly upon
The political breaking of countries.
A situation, which he labelled
'The suicide of civilized Europe.'
In his preoccupation for peace,
There was issued in mid December,
A Vatican statement - direct
From the heart of Pope Benedict.
He called for a Christmas truce,
Between all the conflicting powers.
But the Pontificate found failure,
On paper with particular opposition
Of a certain country's outcry -
The L'Osservatore Romano paper
Discourse, on 14 December
Requested proclamation in homage.
Calling to the Prince of Peace,
Christ the Redeemer - with sentiment
To humanity and pity - for the sake
For all the combatant's families.
Came address to the belligerent
Governments, in proposal of a truce,
During the festivities of Christmas.
Soon a reply from all the powers,
Said they appreciated the Pontiffs
Proposal – and had sympathy
For the suggestion of a truce -
But the lack of being seconded
Makes for lack of unity -
No result therefore can be made,
For this wish that remained,
In the paternal heart of the pope.
In particular, Germany stayed
Resistant - with protestants their
Feeling the ‘papal peace was
An insult,' while French opinion
Strongly felt, that this
Vatican
Were now becoming anti-French.
The pope's prayer for guns to fall
Silent, on the night the angels sang,
Ended with a resounding no,
For any kind of official truce,
Between governments or leaders -
Yet what of those standing
In fields of battles, fighting
In depths of cold winters day.
How would they mark the day?
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1914. No
Truce at Christmas – Statement at the Vatican. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 14
Dec. p.3. Col.7. Available at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11285839/Daily-Telegraph-December-14-1914.html
[Accessed: 14 December 2014].
Source: File:
Pope Benedict XV Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [online] Available at:
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope_Benedict_XV> Accessed: 14 December
2014].
Mann, J., 2014. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication,
14 December 2014).
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