Whatever else Pope Francis’s decision Monday to open the archives from the pontificate of Pius XII in 2020 may mean, there’s one preliminary conclusion that seems take-it-to-the-bank, no-doubt-about-it, slam-dunk certain. Here it is: Opening the archives will not – indeed, by definition, cannot – settle the historical controversy about Pius XII and his alleged silence Read more
Wartime Pope Pius XII co-operated in plots against Nazi leader Adolf Hitler, a new book claims. “Church of Spies: The Pope’s Secret War Against Hitler” by intelligence specialist Mark Riebling details actions by Pius to stop Hitler. The author wrote that Pius cooperated in a variety of plots, initiated by patriotic, anti-Nazi Germans, to assassinate Hitler Read more
One key to understanding how Pius XII responded to the Holocaust – both his hesitation to name both murderers and victims and his efforts to save as many lives as possible – is the Vatican’s diplomacy during World War I when Benedict XV (1914-22) unsuccessfully attempted to save the Armenians during the genocide of 1915-18 Read more
An Italian film that attempts to defend Pope Pius XII over his wartime role has been criticised by Catholic and Jewish media. “Shades of Truth” is the account of a fictional present-day American journalist and critic of Pius who changes his mind after carrying out research. Some Jews have accused Pope Pius of failing to Read more
Pope Francis has hinted that if he eventually retires from the papacy, he might return to live in his native Argentina. In an interview with Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia last week, the Pope was asked if he still had a room reserved in a retirement home in Buenos Aires. Pope Francis said “yes”, explaining that Read more
New evidence that Venerable Pius XII saved Jews from the Holocaust has been unearthed by a British author who was given access to previously unpublished Vatican documents and tracked down victims, priests and others who had not told their stories before. A report in The Guardian newspaper says Vatican insiders believe this new evidence will Read more
Cured after a single, six-week cycle of chemotherapy – a recovery that, Maria Esposito says, stunned her doctors and convinced her that the World War II-era pope had intervened with God to save her. Church officials’ however remain skeptical. Maria Esposito was ready to give up. Wasted away at 42 kilos, she couldn’t bear another Read more
Mordechay Lewy, Israel’s ambassador to the Vatican, on Thursday praised Pope Pius XII for helping Jews during the Nazi occupation of Rome. On Sunday he “backed off” the comment, saying his analysis was “premature” and that it was a personal judgement. Lewy’s initial comments were made at a ceremeony on Thursday night to honour an Italian Read more