Summi maeroris

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With the encyclical Summi maeroris , Pope Pius XII. on July 19, 1950 again to public prayers for peace.

Two reasons led Pius XII. in his papal circular, which prompted him to call again to a public prayer for peace. Firstly it is the current Holy Year with the many visitors in Rome and secondly he is very concerned about the current state of society . Many would talk about peace and yet hatred and blind rivalry would be encouraged in some countries. Therefore he seriously exhorts all citizens and governments to true unity and peace.

Pius XII. reminds us that wars bring only doom, misery and death. He warned against armament, which would become more and more brutal and cruel through the advancement of technology , disregard the protection of goods and make mothers and children helpless. Therefore it is his - and that of his confreres - pastoral duty to warn of these developments and to call for public appeals for peace and prayers.

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