Peace Blessed Charles of Austria saw war as “appalling” and strove for peace Published on 10/21/26 | Philip Kosloski | 3 min read Credit: Public Domain Bl. Charles of Austria was confronted with the First World War and did all in his power to try to end the horrors of war. Copy link Archive article Print article share on : When it comes to war, some political leaders thirst after it, while others do all they can to put an end to it. Blessed Charles of Austria was a leader who did everything in his power to advocate for peace, not desiring revenge or power, but to end the war that broke out before he succeeded to the throne. His uncle, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in 1914 in what became the catalyst for World War I. Then his grand-uncle, Emperor Franz Joseph, died in 1916, and Blessed Charles was next in line to become emperor. Europe was in the midst of World War I and Blessed Charles was now given great responsibility and could dictate how the war would progr...