This feast was promulgated in 1925 by Pope Pius XI. Even then, before the coming to power of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis in Germany in 1933, the Holy Father could see the wave of totalitarian rule sweeping Europe and the terrible threat of war. This feast was, therefore, motivated by concerns of peace and what happens when God is usurped from the lives of people, which leads to conflict, hatred and war. In the encyclical inaugurating the feast at one point he writes:
"The foundation of this power and dignity of Our Lord is rightly indicated by Cyril of Alexandria. 'Christ,' he says, 'has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but his by essence and by nature.' His kingship is founded upon the ineffable hypostatic union. From this it follows not only that Christ is to be adored by angels and men, but that to him as man angels and men are subject, and must recognize his empire; by reason of the hypostatic union Christ has power over all creatures. But a thought that must give us even greater joy and consolation is this that Christ is our King by acquired, as well as by natural right, for he is our Redeemer. Would that they who forget what they have cost their Savior might recall the words: 'You were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb unspotted and undefiled.' We are no longer our own property, for Christ has purchased us 'with a great price'; our very bodies are the 'members of Christ.' " (Quas Primas, 13)
Thus, it is not only Christians who are subjects to Christ but the whole of humanity. To recognize his rule will bring immense benefit to the whole of humanity: "When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony." (Quas Primas, 19)
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