by Ellen Lloyd

February 28, 2020

from MessageToEagle Website

Italian version

Left: Vatican archives.

Image source

Right: Portrait of Pope Pius XII.

Credit: Public Domain
 

The Vatican has announced its wartime archive will now be opened.

Historians will be able to study and uncover previously hidden details about Pope Pius XII, one of the most controversial popes in history.

Pope Pius XII (1876-1958) was head of the Catholic Church from 1939 to 1958, a horrifying period in Europe's history that covered World War II, including the Holocaust.

While the Vatican was officially neutral during World War II, Pope Pius XII never publicly condemned the Nazi regime.

His leadership of the Catholic Church during the war, including allegations of public silence and inaction about the fate of the Jews, remain the subject of controversy.

Will Vatican's secret historical documents cast an even darker light on Pope Pius XII or will new evidence emerges that may offer clarity on what the Pope and the Church did and didn't do in the face of the greatest moral challenge in the history of Europe?

Historians have long argued about the actions undertaken by Pope Pius XII.

Many think he didn't bother to protect or even speak in the name of the Jews during the Nazi Holocaust. Critics of the late Pope argue that with his considerable moral authority, speaking out against the Nazis could have influenced German Catholics away from the regime.

The controversy has given rise to dozens of books, including bestsellers like 1999's "Hitler's Pope," by John Cornwell.

Other scholars claim Pope Pius XII did all he could when facing the horrors during the WW II.

 

His supporters defend him by saying that any criticisms uttered by Pope Pius XII could have endangered Catholics throughout Europe.

The Vatican's archives on Pope Pius XII will be unsealed on March (2020).

 

Researchers will be able to delve into a wide variety of topics, and perhaps this controversial question will be resolved soon.

The Vatican hopes the historical documents will speak in the late Pope's favor.
 

Members of the Canadian Royal 22e Regiment,

in audience with Pope Pius XII,

following the 1944 Liberation of Rome.

Credit: Public Domain

France 24 reports:

 

Archives on Controversial War-time Pope Pius XII...

Set to Open
February 20, 2020

from France24 Website

 

 

Vatican City (AFP)
 

The Vatican's archives on Pope Pius XII are poised to be unsealed, with historians hoping to uncover previously hidden details about one of the most controversial popes in history.

The papacy of Pius XII lasted from 1939 to 1958, tumultuous years that covered World War II, including the Holocaust.

 

Pius XII remains a controversial figure as he never publicly condemned the Nazi regime.

"The opening of the archives is decisive for the contemporary history of the church and the world," Cardinal Jose Tolentino Calaca de Mendonca, the church's archivist and librarian, told reporters on Thursday.

When the archives are unsealed on March 2, researchers will be able to delve into a wide variety of topics.

"From religious history to political history, from the government of the church to the relations of the Holy See with states and the international community," said the cardinal.

The controversy over Pius XII hinges on whether the head of the Catholic Church, a former diplomat of the Holy See in Germany, remained too silent during the Holocaust, never publicly condemning the Nazis.

Critics of the late pope argue that with his considerable moral authority, speaking out against the Nazis could have influenced German catholics away from the regime.

Supporters counter that any criticisms uttered by him could have endangered catholics throughout Europe.

The controversy has given rise to dozens of books, including bestsellers like 1999's "Hitler's Pope," by John Cornwell.

One hundred and fifty researchers from around the world have already requested access to the archives, said Bishop Sergio Pagano, who heads the Vatican's central "apostolic archives."

First to be served will be those from the American Holocaust Memorial Museum and representatives of the Jewish community in Rome, he said.

 

Researchers will compete all year long for about 20 places available in the central archives.

Whether this historical exposure will benefit Pope Pius XII's reputation or not remains yet to be seen...