karl2

Blessed Charles IV, Apostolic King of Hungary

         The relationship between Charles and the Germans had never been very smooth, and it became even worse when the Allies, in a total betrayal of trust, made public Charles' peace efforts. Much has also been made of Charles' opposition to Kaiser Wilhelm II re-opening unrestricted U-boat warfare around the British Isles. Wilhelm believed that this would force Britain to her knees, while Charles said it would only antagonize the Americans, who were already clearly biased against the Central Powers, into declaring war. Although Charles was proven correct, in fact Wilhelm was not being arrogant in his estimation. The U-boat was the most effective weapon of the war and when the Americans came in, at the rate of success the U-boats had enjoyed, they themselves had predicted their own defeat to be only a few months away. However, be that as it may, once America came in, the Allies lost what little desire they had to talk peace, and President Woodrow Wilson had made the destruction of the Austro-Hungarian Empire one of the primary aims of his war policy under the slogan of "freedom for subject peoples"; meaning, by his definition, virtually the entire population of the Dual Empire.
          With the impending collapse of the Central Powers, and the failure of all of Charles' efforts to give a greater voice to the minorities, the governments in Vienna and Budapest began to collapse. Charles is asked to abdicate, but he refuses. He was a man who believed in sacramental kingship, and he would not simply walk away from the responsibility God had entrusted to him. Finally, with the new socialist government gaining power, Charles and his family go into exile in Switzerland. He still hoped this would only be a temporary situation and never stopped feeling that it was his duty to care for those people of all Hapsburg dominions even after so many political changes. Due to his coronation there, he also feels a special bond with the Hungarians. The country was ravaged by extremist parties and many people were begging for their king to come back to them. The situation is finally put in order by Admiral Horthy, who restores the kingdom and proclaims himself regent. However, when Emperor Charles tries to return as King of Hungary, Horthy pressures him to leave, claiming that "the time is not right". Charles agrees, but promises his loyal Hungarians he will return again soon. In his absence however, Horthy begins becoming too fond of power and entrenches himself as the one and only ruler of the country. When Emperor Charles does keep his promise and returns to Hungary, Admiral Horthy, who had previously been so quick with expressions of loyalty, betrayed the Emperor, his true king, has him arrested and turns him over to the Allied powers.
          Emperor Charles, Empress Zita and the rest of their family are exiled to the island of Madeira in 1922 with absolutely nothing but their faith in God and each other. Although happy to be together again, Charles comes down with pneumonia and influenza and dies only a few weeks after his arrival. He died before the Holy Eucharist, crucifix in hand, with the name of Jesus on his lips at the age of 34 on the afternoon of April 1, 1922. Later, his cause for canonization was introduced in Rome and on October 3, 2004 he was beatified by His Holiness Pope John Paul II as an example especially to all political leaders of a true "Christian statesman".

Emperor Charles I Beatification and Canonization Website

"Holy Roman Emperor Charles VIII"

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