Toward the end of May, Archbishop Pacelli arrived in Bavaria, with definite instructions to institute negotiations looking toward peace. He immediately opened conversations with Chancellor Bethmann von Hollweg, and in July interviewed Kaiser Wilhelm, at his field headquarters near Kreutznach. Both of them expressed a desire to consider peace proposals. Accordingly, Archbishop Pacelli advised Benedict XV to issue his Nota per la pace. This seven-point peace plan was sent on Aug. 1, 1917, to the heads of all the warring nations. It was then the task of Archbishop Pacelli to bring about acceptance of the plan by the Central Govern ments. Though the Kaiser and chancellor had previously expressed keen interest in the papal efforts, though the Reichstag had already adopted the Erzberger peace resolutions, both the Kaiser and the military leaders refused to accept the mediation of the Holy See. Nevertheless, Archbishop Pacelli continued his repre sentations through August and later, with the new chancellor, Georg Michaelis. His efforts were as unavailing as those of the other representatives who dealt with the Allies. And yet, the plan of Benedict was basic to the fourteen points of President Wilson, adopted after the German collapse.
When the war concluded, Germany became a land of conflict and chaos. Parties of the extreme Left and the Communists gained the ascendancy. Revolution, with all its attendant horrors of bloodshed, rioting and public executions unrolled before the eyes of Archbishop Pacelli. Early in 1919, during the Spartacist out break, the papal nunciature in Munich was sprayed with machine gun fire, and the nuncio himself was threatened with a pistol at his heart. On this occasion, as on others, he betrayed not the slightest fear and conceded not a single demand of his attackers. By Aug. 1919, Germany had become partially pacified through the establishment of the confederated Republic and the adoption of the Constitution of Weimar. The Holy See was eager to establish relations with all of Germany and to transfer the apostolic nun ciature to Berlin. Despite German political and religious oppo sition, Archbishop Pacelli secured authorization for the move, and was appointed the first papal nuncio to Berlin, June 22, 1920. He continued to reside in Munich, however, for he was engaged in negotiating the concordat between the Holy See and Bavaria. This important document was signed on March 20, 1924, and was ratified the following year.
Transferring his residence to Berlin, June 24, 1925, he opened a wider sphere, through all of Germany, for his diplomatic duties. Because of priority of appointment, he became the dean and spokesman of the diplomatic corps. As an orator and preacher he
was much in demand, for he spoke German fluently and even wrote a book in exquisite German style. He had always been a favourite in Germany because of his war work and because of his balanced attitude toward the conflicting political parties. In Berlin, his cul ture, his affability and graciousness, his supreme tact, his sincerity and priestly charity won him the friendship and confidence of all classes, whatever their religious or political affiliations. He was negotiating during these years a concordat to settle the relation of the Vatican and the German Republic. This was opposed bitterly by the National Socialists, the Communists, and other Leftist parties. He succeeded in his endeavour, nevertheless. On July 9, 1929, the Prussian Landtag, though predominantly Protestant, approved of the concordat with the Holy See, and authorized the signature five days later. At the same time, Archbishop Pacelli was preparing further concordats with Baden and Wurttemberg. In Nov. 1929, he was recalled to Rome. His departure occasioned universal regret throughout Germany and, in Berlin, was marked with extraordinary testimonials of respect.
His summons to Rome was by way of reward for his eleven years of brilliant success in Germany as the papal representative. On Dec. 16, 1929, Pius XI elevated him to the cardinalate, as priest with the title of Saints John and Paul. This was in immedi ate preparation for his appointment as secretary of State for the Vatican City State on Feb. 7, 193o. As once before, he assumed the office vacated by his patron and friend, Pietro Cardinal Gas parri, then near to his Both year. Despite his protests of unworthi ness, he took his place beside Pius XI, the friend whom he revered and loved and with whom he was destined to govern the Universal Church in the most perfect and complete accord for nearly a decade. The biography of the future Pius XII, then, coalesces with that of the closing years of Pius XI.
One of the immediate problems of the new secretary was that of executing the terms of the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy, signed by Cardinal Gasparri and Mussolini on Feb. II, 1929. Marquis Francesco Pacelli, his brother, as chief consis torial advocate of the Vatican, had played a leading part in nego tiating the Lateran Treaty. Together, the brothers collaborated in the further applications and interpretations of the treaty that were summarized in the so-called "Reconciliations," signed in the summer of 1931.