Editing Pope Pius X (section)

== Reform of canon law ==
{{main|1917 Code of Canon Law}}
[[Canon law of the Catholic Church]] varied from region to region with no overall prescriptions. On 19 March 1904, Pope Pius X named a commission of cardinals to draft a universal set of laws. Two of his successors worked in the commission: Giacomo della Chiesa, who became [[Pope Benedict XV]], and Eugenio Pacelli, who became [[Pope Pius XII]]. This first [[1917 Code of Canon Law|Code of Canon Law]] was promulgated by Benedict XV on 27 May 1917, with an effective date of 19 May 1918,<ref>[[Ap. Const.]] ''Providentissima Mater Ecclesia''</ref> and remained in effect until Advent 1983, when [[Pope John Paul II]], promulgated the [[1983 Code of Canon Law|contemporary canon law]].<ref>[[Ap. Const.]] ''[[Sacrae Disciplinae Leges]]''</ref>