At least in the English speaking world, Benedict XV, pope during the “Great War,” is one of the most neglected popes of modern times. There are few modern studies in English; the major one is by John Pollard, who contributed a chapter in this collection about the pope and the British Empire (Benedict XV The Pope of Peace, Continuum, 1999). On a smaller scale, see also Ashley Beck's Benedict XV Courageous Prophet of Peace (Catholic Truth Society, 2014). At least in the United Kingdom, there is an awkwardness among Christians about Benedict XV's opposition to the war, seen at the time of the war's centenary. Not so in Italy, and in 2016 the historian Alberto Melloni organized an international conference in Bologna looking at every conceivable aspect of the life and ministry of Giacomo della Chiesa. The ninety papers, grouped into four parts and twenty-three sections, are a major contribution to historical scholarship about Benedict and his times, and they have now been translated into English, a monumental exercise in itself.

The first part of the collection covers some of the most important issues about Benedict: his background in Genoa, his ministry before becoming pope, and key aspects of his diplomacy during the war. Part 2 looks at areas often neglected in studies of Benedict, such as his role in promoting “the missions” and his place in theological and devotional developments in his time. The third part looks in more detail at the Holy See's relationships with particular countries, leaving no stone unturned, and part four examines Benedict's legacy. The forward to the collection is by the Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

This collection makes it clear that Benedict, often dismissed, changed substantially the role of the papacy in the modern world, giving the Holy See a new confidence in world affairs that is still important in today's world: the present pope emeritus took the name “Benedict” as a tribute to his predecessor, whom he called “a courageous prophet of peace,” and Pope Francis has developed further the Church's opposition to war in the tradition begun by Benedict in modern times.

This collection is outstanding and theological libraries should invest in it; my only criticism is that there is no list or description of the ninety or so contributors.