Saint Pius X is known for many things: he is mainly praised for promoting the catechism and the Code of Canon Law, and also reforming the Curia. He was also the pontiff who is said to have died of sorrow, as he passed away shortly after World War I started.
His passing was described in 2014 by the then-president of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences.
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FR. BERNARD ARDURA
President, Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences
Everyone thought they would win the war. So soldiers thought they would soon be back at home with their families. In a way, you could say the Pope died of grief between the night of the 20th and the 21st of August back in 1914, just three weeks after World War I started. He knew there would be slaughter.
On a pastoral level, he took measures such as allowing more frequent reception of Communion and promoting a greater understanding of the catechism in order to address the atheistic and agnostic currents of his time.
JRB
TR. CRT
