''Optatissima pax'' is an

encyclical An encyclical was originally a circular letter sent to all the churches of a particular area in the ancient Roman Church. At that time, the word could be used for a letter sent out by any bishop. The word comes from the Late Latin (originally fr ...

Pope Pius XII Pope Pius XII (; born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli; 2 March 18769 October 1958) was the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State from 2 March 1939 until his death on 9 October 1958. He is the most recent p ...

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 of his pontificate. Two years after

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, peace still is in uncertain balance. People are in suspense and in several nations

class conflict In political science, the term class conflict, class struggle, or class war refers to the economic antagonism and political tension that exist among social classes because of clashing interests, competition for limited resources, and inequali ...

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.''Optatissima pax'', 11 The Pontiff closes the encyclical by imparting his Apostolic Benediction.

References

Encyclicals of Pope Pius XII December 1947 1947 in Christianity {{RC-document-stub