Mirabile illud

Mirabile illud is the title of an encyclical on 6 December 1950 by Pope Pius XII. has been published and should encourage to " public prayers for world peace ." This call referred to it as a crusade of prayer for peace.

Looking back on the past Holy Year (1950 ) referred to Pius XII. the pilgrims, who were flown in harmony to Rome and St. Peter's Basilica, as a clear testimony to the will for peace. The development of new war equipment which is terrible and devastating than ever before, would be able to destroy not only armies, they especially have the power, civilians and especially innocent people and cultural objects to destroy.

The Pope in this encyclical raises the question as to who could put on this world this horror to an end and who was commissioned to demonstrate the military powers with economic and financial penalties. Indirectly, it calls for a secular entity that should work for peace and justice in the world and has been authorized by the peoples. Would their bids really and properly act, there would be no doubt that wars, riots, strife and oppression could be pushed back. He sees a difficult but necessary task for these secular and religious institution.

He calls for a common midnight prayer and expresses the wish that these prayers may be sent by radio to all parts of the world. This prayer should bring the desire for peace expressed, for " honor God in the highest and on earth peace among men of his grace ." (Luke 2:14)