Pope Pius XII

12 Stories

He Kept Vatican's Secrets for 45 Years. Now He's Retiring

Retiring prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archive reveals how US funds paid for 1922 peculiar conclave

(Newser) - The Vatican has been trying for years to debunk the idea that its vaunted secret archives are all that secret: It has opened up the files of controversial World War II-era Pope Pius XII to scholars and changed the official name to remove the word "Secret" from its title....

With a Big Archives Release, a Pope's Legacy Is at Stake

Current pontiff Francis orders online posting of 'Jewish' files from archives of WWII era's Pius XII

(Newser) - Pope Francis has ordered the online publication of 170 volumes of its so-called Jewish files from the recently opened Pope Pius XII archives, the Vatican announced Thursday, amid renewed debate about the legacy of its World War II-era pope. The documentation contains 2,700 files of requests for Vatican help...

Memo 'Steeped in Anti-Semitic Language' Found in Pius' Archives

But church experts say careful study and context is needed before jumping to conclusions

(Newser) - For decades, historians, academics, and Jewish advocacy groups have longed to catch a glimpse of Pope Pius XII's wartime records, kept under lock and key in the Vatican's archives. Earlier this year, the Vatican finally unsealed those records , though the archives were open for less than a week...

Vatican Archives May Settle Holocaust-Era Question
Historians Finally Get Chance
to Settle a Holocaust Question
in case you missed it
Mar 7, 2020 7:00 AM CST

Historians Finally Get Chance to Settle a Holocaust Question

Did the pope turn a blind eye to German atrocities?

(Newser) - The worst critics of the pope who reigned during World War II say he remained silent even though he knew the Holocaust was unfolding. Hence, the nickname "Hitler's pope." The defenders of Pope Pius XII, on the other hand, say he helped Jews quietly , fearing that speaking...

What Did the Pope Do During the Holocaust? We'll Soon Know

Pope Francis announces Vatican archives from Pope Pius XII papacy will be opened in 2020

(Newser) - Three of the four popes who followed Pope Pius XII have since been named saints. The effort to attach the same designation to Pius has stalled, but a big move by Pope Francis could soon change that. Saying "the church is not afraid of history," the pope on...

'Hitler's Pope' Secretly Aided the Jews: New Book

Pope Pius XII 'oversaw a clandestine operation'

(Newser) - A new book is aiming to give "Hitler's Pope" a better place in history, the Guardian reports. Due out next month, The Pope's Jews paints Pius XII as a man who quietly aided Jews during World War II with safe houses and fake documents. According to the...

Woman Claims Miracle by Controversial Pope

She says Pope Pius XII intervened with God to cure her cancer

(Newser) - Pope Pius XII: controversial pope, saint? Possibly. An Italian woman says the World War II-era pope, who many Jews say failed to speak out enough to stop the Holocaust, is behind her miraculous recovery from cancer. Maria Esposito had wasted away to 92 pounds and tells the AP she couldn'...

WikiLeaks: Vatican Pulled Out of Holocaust Task Force

Group sought release of Pius XII records

(Newser) - The Vatican backtracked on an agreement to join an organization dedicated to remembering the Holocaust because of mounting controversy over the wartime role of Pope Pius XII according to diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. Plans for the Vatican to join the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance,...

Pope Defends Nazi-Era Vatican
 Pope Defends Nazi-Era Vatican 
Jan 18, 2010 4:16 AM CST

Pope Defends Nazi-Era Vatican

Church helped Jews in 'hidden ways'

(Newser) - Pope Benedict yesterday defended the Vatican against criticism that it did little to challenge the Nazis during World War II, saying that the Catholic church helped Jews in "hidden" ways. "Unfortunately, many remained indifferent" to the suffering of the Jews, said the German pontiff. But the Vatican "...

Pope During Holocaust Moves Closer to Sainthood

Jewish groups wanted Vatican to wait; John Paul II also 'venerable'

(Newser) - Pope Benedict has moved two of his predecessors one step closer to sainthood, including a wartime pope dogged by criticism that he did too little to stop the Holocaust. Benedict declared Pius XII and John Paul II to be "venerable," the first of three steps to sainthood. The...

Pope to Visit Israel in May
 Pope to Visit Israel in May 
Feb 15, 2009 4:00 PM CST

Pope to Visit Israel in May

Papal trip comes as relations tense between Vatican, Israel

(Newser) - Pope Benedict XVI will visit Israel this May amid diplomatic tensions between the Vatican and the Jewish state, the New York Times reports. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed the visit today after the pontiff hinted at a trip last week. “We very much hope that the visit will be...

'Hitler's Pope' Closer to Sainthood

Benedict XVI prepares to beatify controversial Pius XII

(Newser) - The most controversial pope of modern times may soon be a step closer to sainthood, reports Der Spiegel. Pius XII—known by many as "Hitler's Pope" because of his lack of action during the Holocaust or criticism of the Nazis—is about to be beatified, despite decades of dispute....

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