1917: World War I still rages; millions of people have died.

Cardinal Giacomo della Chiesa became Pope Benedict XV in 1914 within months after the outbreak of World War I, which he called "the suicide of civilized Europe". As a cardinal, he had extensive experience in the diplomatic corps, and as pope, he tried every human means to help end the war, but to no avail.

By May 5, 1917, he implored the Mother of God to intercede, and God permitted a rapid response, such that only eight days later on May 13, 1917, Our Lady appeared to the three children for the first time, and she would do so on the same day of the month for five more months in succession that year.