PAPAL STATES VATICAN 1918 Benedict XV Silver Medal NGC MS64 FINEST GRADED !. NGC has seen only 2 specimens of this scarce Vatican Medal. Of the two graded, this is by far the finest. A simply spectacular medal struck in extremely high relief and is just breathtaking to behold. These silver medals of the Papal States are some of the most beautiful medals ever minted.
Pope Benedict XV, born Giacomo Paolo Giovanni Battista della Chiesa, served as
the 258th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. His papacy spanned from September
3, 1914, until his death on January 22, 1922. Here are some key points about
Pope Benedict XV:
- Early
Life:
- Giacomo
della Chiesa was born on November 21, 1854, in Pegli, near Genoa, Italy,
into a noble family. He came from a diplomatic background, and his uncle
was a cardinal.
- Career
in the Church:
- Benedict
XV entered the priesthood and pursued a career in the Roman Curia. He
served in various diplomatic and administrative roles within the Church.
- Papal
Election:
- Giacomo
della Chiesa was elected as Pope on September 3, 1914, following the
death of Pope Pius X. He took the name Benedict XV.
- World
War I:
- Benedict
XV's papacy coincided with the outbreak of World War I. He made extensive
efforts to promote peace and called for an end to hostilities. However,
his peace initiatives were met with limited success due to the complex
geopolitical situation.
- Neutrality
and Diplomacy:
- The
Pope maintained a position of neutrality during the war and worked to
mediate between the warring nations. He proposed a seven-point peace plan
in 1917, but it did not lead to a resolution.
- Social
Justice and Humanitarian Efforts:
- Benedict
XV was committed to social justice and humanitarian efforts. He sought to
alleviate the suffering caused by the war and supported initiatives to
provide aid to those affected.
- Canonizations:
- During
his pontificate, Benedict XV canonized several saints, including St. Joan
of Arc and St. Albert the Great.
- Promotion
of Christian Unity:
- The
Pope emphasized the importance of Christian unity and sought to improve
relations between the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations.
- Death
and Legacy:
- Pope
Benedict XV passed away on January 22, 1922. His pontificate is
remembered for his efforts to bring about peace during World War I and
his commitment to humanitarian causes.
- Beatification
Cause:
- As
of my last knowledge update in January 2022, there has been no formal
beatification or canonization process underway for Pope Benedict XV.
Pope Benedict XV faced significant challenges during his
papacy, particularly the complexities of World War I. His commitment to peace
and humanitarian efforts left an enduring mark on the Catholic Church's stance
on social justice and diplomacy.ommunity.