Who was Benedict Cyrus

Benedict is the name of fifteen popes of the Roman Catholic Church. The first Benedict was pope about six hundred years after Christ. The last, Benedict XV, was pope during World War I. He did not favor either side during the war, but worked very hard to make peace Some of these Benedicts are remembered for many fine things they did while they were popes. Some of the good things were building schools and churches. They tried to have people live peacefully together and to love God.

Some of the Benedicts came from rich and noble families. Others came from families who were poor. One of the most interesting of these men is Benedict XI. He was pope for only one year, 1303-1304, but during that short time he did a lot of good.

He was a great peacemaker. One thing he did was to have France and Rome get along together in a more friendly way. Benedict XI believed that people should be humble. One time when his mother came to see him, wearing jewels and a beautiful dress, he refused to recognize her until she put on plain clothes. Benedict XIV was one of the best popes of all. He was a very learned man. He founded schools of physics, chemistry, and mathematics in Rome. He had ; II the best books written in English and French translated into Italian. He built many fine buildings. He was a very kind and cheerful man. He often said things that made people laugh. He was pope for 18 years from 1740 to 1758.