A politcs of peace: The Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs during the pontificate of Benedict XV (1914-1922)

The Congregation for Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs can be considered the political ‘think tank’ of the Roman Curia, the dicastery responsible for bilateral relations with the States, as well as treating the most delicate ecclesiastical issues in the Local Churches. It is the place that brings together the most infuential cardinals of the Roman Curia, the pope’s closest counsellors. The present study aims at clarifying the true operational space of this Congregation during a delicate ...