Emperor Karl I

Emperor Karl I was the last Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, ruling from 1916 until the end of World War I in 1918. His reign was marked by efforts to maintain the Austro-Hungarian Empire amid complex ethnic tensions and the upheaval caused by the war. Despite initial hopes for reform, the empire dissolved after defeat, leading to the empire's breakup into several independent nations. Karl sought peace and unity but was unable to prevent the empire's collapse. He was beatified by the Catholic Church in 2004, recognized for his piety and dedication to peace.