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WW1 / 1915 / POPE & AMERICA
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WW1 / 1915 / POPE & AMERICA
Like Jesus clearing the traders from the Temple of Jerusalem, the Pope reproves the Americans for supplying arms to the Allies
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Media ID 4324949
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10026036
Allies Clearing Jerusalem Jesus Mitre Pope Pushes Reproves Supplying Throws Traders Weapons Ww 1
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this powerful and evocative image from 1915, Pope Pius X stands resolute in the Temple, a symbol of peace and spiritual authority, as he reproaches the Americans for their role in supplying arms to the Allies during World War 1. The pope, dressed in his ornate mitre and robes, gestures fiercely towards the traders and weapons dealers who have set up shop at the foot of the temple steps. The scene is reminiscent of Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem, where he drove out the traders and money changers for turning a sacred place into a market. The historical significance of this event lies in the complex web of alliances and tensions that characterized the early years of the First World War. The United States, officially neutral at the time, was supplying arms and other military support to the Allies, a fact that did not sit well with the Vatican. Pope Pius X, a strong advocate for peace and neutrality, saw the arms trade as a dangerous escalation of the conflict and a violation of the principles of Christian morality. The cartoon-like quality of the image adds a layer of satire and commentary to the scene. The exaggerated expressions and gestures of the figures, combined with the dramatic setting, serve to highlight the moral dilemma at the heart of the conflict. The pope's forceful actions and unwavering stance against the arms trade resonate with the deep-rooted beliefs and values of the time, making this image a powerful and enduring symbol of the complexities and contradictions of the First World War era.
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