Charles I of Austria (Charles IV of Hungary) was the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He ascended to the throne after the death of Emperor Franz Joseph in 1916. Charles earnestly desired peace, and entered into secret peace negotiations with France. On October 16, 1918, Charles issued a proclamation giving the Polish regions of the empire full independence, and transforming the Austrian part of the empire into a federation. However, the constituent parts of the empire sought independence; as well, on October 31, Hungary ended the union between Austria and Hungary, leaving Charles governing only the German provinces of Austria. On November 11, Charles issued a proclamation wherein he relinquished administration of the state (although he did not specifically state that he was abdicating). He died in 1922 in exile in Portugal at the age of 34. In 2004 he was beatified by Pope John Paul II.