Pío XII (1939-1958)

Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli) went through the most difficult years of twentieth century European and world history. He rose to supreme responsibility in the Church with a long diplomatic experience. His figure, in a crucial period for the history of the world, remained upright at the forefront of the great force of world Catholicism, drawing attention for the austerity of his life, for the successes in the government of the Church, for his performance and about the political problems of the world. Everyone had to admit it and even the diatribes of the Vatican's adversaries -such as the attacks by the communist and anticlerical press- were very powerful arguments that enlarged the role played by Pius XII. His voice, solitary in the silence and in the darkness into which Europe fell, was that of the only sovereign of the continent who had the courage to demand respect for treaties, an end to aggression, equal treatment for minorities and the cessation of religious persecution. No one other than Pius XII was able to speak in favor of peace. This book, divided into two parts, offers in the first a synthesis of his pontificate, highlighting his attempts to avoid the Second War, his public interventions against the conflict, the humanitarian work of the Holy See, the Pope's fight against paganism and atheism, and against communism. In the second, focused on the title of the book, it is stated that Pius XII made more efforts in defense of the Jews than any humanitarian organization; the great work of assistance in favor of the Jews is documented and the black legend about the attitude of Pius XII is analyzed. The question is answered: when was this legend born and what may have been its causes? Jewish testimonies about the Pope and the most recent documents confirming that he generously helped the Jews are provided. Pius XII has been accused of silence in the face of that tragedy, but he came to the conclusion that an act of public protest on his part would not have achieved the slightest result and would certainly have aggravated the persecution. In addition, a public protest would have prevented the Church from carrying out its hidden work of assistance to the Hebrews.