Editing Pope Benedict XV (section)

=== Ireland ===
{{main|Easter Rising|Anglo-Irish Treaty}}

Following the declaration of the [[Irish Republic]] in 1919, Benedict XV was visited by [[Seán T. O'Kelly]] in May 1920, who explained Irish politics and presented a memorandum, hoping for support from the "Sovereign Pontiff".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.difp.ie/volume-1/1920/memorandum-by-sean-t-oceallaigh-to-pope-benedict-xv/35/#section-documentpage | title=Documents on Irish Foreign Policy – Volume 1 }}</ref>

In 1921, a [[Anglo-Irish Treaty|peace agreement]] was formalized between the [[British Empire]] and the [[Irish Republic]] that saw to the end of the [[Irish War of Independence]]. Negotiations were conducted in [[London]], however, there was a rise in tension during the negotiations over separate telegrams sent to Benedict XV by both King [[George V]] and [[Éamon de Valera]]. The telegram sent by de Valera took issue with the language that George V used in his message to the pope and responded to simply clarify the nature between both parties and the reasons that there had been tension between the two.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/peace-conference-continues-despite-furore-over-de-valera-telegram|title=Peace conference continues despite furore over de Valera telegram to Vatican|publisher=Century Ireland|author=|date=25 October 1921|access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref> In his letter to George V, the Pope praised the ongoing efforts for peace, saying that "We rejoice at the resumption of the Anglo-Irish negotiations" and that the negotiations would "end the age-long dissention" between both sides.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.creativecentenaries.org/on-this-day/pope-benedict-xv-prays-for-the-peace-settlement|title=Pope Benedict XV prays for the peace settlement|publisher=The Scotsman|author=|date=20 October 1921|access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref> Benedict XV further declared himself "overjoyed with the agreement happily reached in regard to Ireland".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/catholic-world-in-mourning-over-death-of-pope-benedict-xv|title=Catholic world in mourning over death of Pope Benedict XV|publisher=Century Ireland|author=|date=24 January 1922|access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref>

A source of contention, despite firm denials by the Holy See in 1933, is the allegation that Benedict XV, in a private interview with [[Papal count|Count]] [[George Noble Plunkett]] in mid-April 1916, imparted an [[Apostolic blessing]] to the Irish Republic just two weeks before the [[Easter Rising]]. The fact that the Pope is purported to have done so was widely accepted by [[Irish republicanism|Republicans]], though categorically denied later by ''[[L'Osservatore Romano]]'' in 1933. Additionally, it was alleged that Plunkett pledged the Irish Republic to fidelity to the Holy See, with the Pope formally imparting his blessing on the endeavors of the Irish Republic, prompting the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Armagh|Archbishop of Armagh]] [[Michael Logue]] to send a telegram to the Pope on 30 April 1916 asking for a clarification as to what occurred during the meeting. When ''L'Osservatore Romano'' denied these claims in 1933, the paper said that "the news was entirely unfounded" and that the actions of Benedict XV were "in open contradiction to the well-known gentleness of the late Pontiff and to his most lively desire for peace and the prevention of any further effusion of blood". Plunkett himself affirmed the truth of the allegations, saying "The fact is that the that the Papal Blessing given the men of 1916 by Pope Benedict has only one witness remaining – myself. Those who profess to refute me have not evidence to support them".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishcatholic.com/did-benedict-xv-the-pope-of-peace-bless-the-easter-rising/|title=Did Benedict XV, 'the Pope of Peace', Bless the Easter Rising?|publisher=The Irish Catholic|date=3 January 2019|author=|access-date=7 February 2022}}</ref>