Benedict spent most of his pontificate working for peace during World War I. By this point in history, sadly, the Pope held too little influence to make much progress: both sides thought he was unfair in his calls for a truce, and Benedict really had nothing to offer them. His humanitarian efforts were more successful, including setting up an office to help prisoners of war - from all sides of the conflict, of any nationality, race, or religion - contact their families.

In other international matters, he tried to heal the growing rift between the French Republic and the church - going so far as to canonize Joan of Arc. He disapproved of the Communist Revolution in Russia, and worried greatly about the anti-religious sentiment.

Benedict was almost universally well-regarded, in part because of his wide-ranging humanitarian efforts. He died in 1922.