Benedict XV was born on 21 November 1854 in Pegli. Born Giacomo della Chiesa, he was pope during most of the First World War, elected just after the outbreak of the conflict. He declared the Holy See neutral, called the war a useless slaughter and tried to mediate peace, including a proposal in 1917 that was rejected by both sides. He organized humanitarian relief for prisoners of war and civilians and helped to exchange wounded prisoners. Later he issued the first code of canon law, promulgated in 1917, and encouraged missionary work around the world. His efforts at diplomacy were largely ignored at the time but have been reassessed more positively since.
Before and after
- 16 October 1854Birth of Oscar Wilde
- from 17 October 1854 to 9 September 1855Siege of Sevastopol
- 20 October 1854Birth of Arthur Rimbaud
- 25 October 1854Battle of Balaclava
- 21 November 1854Birth of Benedict XV
- 3 December 1854Eureka Rebellion
- 1855Founding of The Daily Telegraph
- 1 January 1855Founding of Ottawa
- from 1855 to 1858Yakima War
More in Art, literature & culture
- 10 August 1793Construction of Louvre Museum
- 17 November 1869Construction of Suez Canal
- 1886Statue of Liberty
- 31 March 1889Construction of Eiffel Tower
- 1894Radio
- c. 1900sRise of modernism
The era
This moment belongs to the Industrial era (1760 CE to 1914 CE), steam, factories and revolutions. You can also browse everything in the 19th century.