Optatissima Pax
Encyclopedia
OPTATISSIMA PAX is an encyclical
of Pope Pius XII
on prescribing public prayers for social and world peace given at Rome, at St. Peter's, the 18th day of December in the year 1947, the ninth o fhis Pontificate
Two years after World War II
, peace still is in uncertain balance. People are in suspense and in several nations class conflict
s are being incited to mutual hatred. The Pope considers the crisis of peace a serious one. The economic system of many nations has been dislocated as a result of military expenditures and war related destruction. Working people are exploited and incited to discord.
Peace can only be secured by working together in harmony, cooperation, and peaceful labour. It is the duty of all to realize that the world crisis is serious. All, especially the rich, must place the common welfare above their private advantage and profits. It is most urgent, to reconcile the hearts of men. Public and private life must return to Christ as soon as possible. The Pope places much trust in the prayers of innocent children, whose prayer for peace and reconciliation he requests during the Christmas season. The Pontiff closes the encyclical by imparting his Apostolic Benediction
Encyclical
An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Catholic Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop...
of Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
on prescribing public prayers for social and world peace given at Rome, at St. Peter's, the 18th day of December in the year 1947, the ninth o fhis Pontificate
Two years after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, peace still is in uncertain balance. People are in suspense and in several nations class conflict
Class conflict
Class conflict is the tension or antagonism which exists in society due to competing socioeconomic interests between people of different classes....
s are being incited to mutual hatred. The Pope considers the crisis of peace a serious one. The economic system of many nations has been dislocated as a result of military expenditures and war related destruction. Working people are exploited and incited to discord.
Peace can only be secured by working together in harmony, cooperation, and peaceful labour. It is the duty of all to realize that the world crisis is serious. All, especially the rich, must place the common welfare above their private advantage and profits. It is most urgent, to reconcile the hearts of men. Public and private life must return to Christ as soon as possible. The Pope places much trust in the prayers of innocent children, whose prayer for peace and reconciliation he requests during the Christmas season. The Pontiff closes the encyclical by imparting his Apostolic Benediction