An Open Letter to Help Clear the Record

Several writers have rekindled the old debate about Pius XII’s alleged “anti-Semitism.” They make no mention of the evidence presented at the Nuremberg Trials demonstrating the Vatican’s repeated protests, nor do they describe the anger these protests provoked within Nazi ranks. They do not refer to the explicit statements in defense of Jews and against “Hitler,” “Germany,” and “Nazism,” used by the Vatican Radio and published in L’Osservatore Romano. Why are these sources ignored? These statements were often written by Pope Pius XII himself. For some, Pope Pius XII was the enormously respected Church leader whose Christmas messages during and immediately after the Second World War prepared the way for democratic governments throughout much of Europe. For others, including John Paul II, John XXIII and Paul VI, Pope Pius XII not only played a key role in preparing for the Council, but his words were the most frequently quoted after Holy Scripture

Testimonials of survivors of the Holocaust also make it perfectly clear that the Pope was not anti-Semitic or indifferent to the fate of the Jews and that he did everything possible to help them. In a letter dated June 18, 1997, historian and Holocaust survivor, Michael Tagliacozzo, director of Beth Lohame Haghettaot Center in Italy clearly expressed his sentiments: “In my study of the conditions of the Jews (The Roman Community during the Nightmare of the Swastika, November 1963), I pointed out the generous and vast activity of the Church in favor of the victims. I learned how great was Pope Pacelli’s paternal solicitude. No honest person can discount the merits attributed to him.” In this study, Michael Tagliacozzo stated: “Pope Pacelli was the only one who intervened to impede the deportation of Jews on October 16, 1943, and he did very much to hide and save thousands of us. It was no small matter that he ordered the opening of cloistered convents. Without him, many of our own would not be alive.”

An excerpt from his correspondence of August 8, 2004, reiterates his convictions: “Any apology on the actions of Pius XII must be considered superfluous. This is clear to all men of good will and is entrusted above all to the memory of those Jews, now living, who have not forgotten the efforts and solicitude of Pope Pacelli….”

Rgarding the shameful campaign of defamation, Tagliacozzo writes: “To refute this injustice, it suffices to recall the precious testimonials of Jews who lived during that tragic period of history. Among those thanking the Pope in 1943, were Israeli soldiers who came from Palestine; Chief Rabbi Isaac Herzog; David Ben Gurion, Head of the Israeli Government; Golda Meir, Foreign Minister; the three Rabbis of Rome, Israel Zolli, David Prato and Elio Toaff; Gideon Hausner, Procurator General of the State of Israel; Nahum Goldmann, President of the World Jewish Congress

“To these one must add the countless expressions of gratitude of those whose lives were saved in the religious houses in Rome, Assisi and elsewhere. Even if gratitude was expressed directly to the Institutions who protected them, the merit goes to Pope Pacelli who, on October 16, 1943, gave orders to open the doors of the parishes, convents and monasteries to save the Jews from deportation.” By what right do some critics discount the testimonials of survivors and rescuers? Sir Martin Gilbert-another contemporary historian- praised Pius XII’s efforts on behalf of the Jews during a TV interview broadcast February 2, 2004 on C-Span. Catholic and non-Catholic historians have cleared Pius XII’s record. Pope John Paul II, in his historic address to Jewish representatives at Miami, on September 11, 1987, declared: “I am convinced that history will reveal even more clearly and even more convincingly how profoundly Pius XII felt the tragedy of the Jewish people, and how intensely and effectively he applied himself to assist them in the Second World War.”

One of the most hidden operations during World War II is the Vatican Information Service. It is the story of the Vatican’s efforts to discover information about missing prisoners of war. In September 1939, Pius XII instituted and personally supervised the founding and organization of this Bureau. In June 2004, this story was published in book and DVD formats. Pius XII was the only leader in the world who cared for Prisoners of War through this papal communication service. In the greatest rescue program in history, Pope Pius XII steered a careful course through chaos during World War II. His many acts of courage and mercy speak for themselves. To all he was a beacon of hope.
Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust

Pope John Paul II, in his historic address to Jewish representatives at Miami, on September 11, 1987, declared: “I am convinced that history will reveal even more clearly and even more convincingly how profoundly Pius XII felt the tragedy of the Jewish people, and how intensely and effectively he applied himself to assist them in the Second World War.”

The actions of Pope Pius XII and the Holy See stemmed from the conception of the Catholic Church’s humanitarian mission in time of war. But it was also in harmony with the needs and prayers of the Jewish organizations dedicated to the saving of their own people. On the humanitarian level, these concerns coincided with those of the Jewish community. The Holy See and the world organizations were united in the unfolding tragedy. The charges that Christianity is responsible for the Holocaust are without rational basis. Kenneth Woodward stated: “No one person, Hitler excepted, was responsible for the Holocaust. And no one person, Pius XII included, could have prevented it (Newsweek, March 30, 1998).”

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Without interruption, Pius XII worked for peace, striving to heal the wounds inflicted by World War II and the Holocaust. Yet, for the past fifty years, the work of the Vatican Information Service has been practically ignored. The papacy rescued Jews by channeling money to those in need, issuing countless baptismal certificates for their protection, negotiating with Latin American countries to grant them visas, and keeping in touch with their relatives through the Vatican Information Service.

One letter began: “I’m not a believer, but I’m turning to you, Mr. Pope.” Desperate families from every social class, who prayed for a loved one to come back from the war, wrote with little formality and much hope. An undated letter was from a little Italian girl: “Dear Pope, I am a little girl who sent you Christmas greetings last year. Now I am sending you greetings for this Christmas. I want news about my uncle, my mother’s brother, Tonino Mangano, who is in America on Avenue Gremponti [Greenpoint Avenue], Brooklyn, and I want to know how he is and send him many kisses. I pray every evening that all my uncles come home, and also that Jesus will bless you.” One of the petitions asking for help was from Rabbi Herzog, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, to which the Pope replied promising “to do all in his personal power to aid persecuted Jews in Europe” (N.Y. Times, February 7, 1943, p. 29, col. 4). He asked the Vatican’s help in locating a Swedish rabbi arrested in 1942. Nor did atheists hesitate to ask for assistance. To help in this mission, Vatican Radio broadcast 1.2 million short-wave messages asking for news about missing individuals.

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When the Nazis occupied Rome in September 1943, the Pope endeavored to save as many Jews as possible. He immediately issued directives to all convents and monasteries to open their doors to protect Jews. Meanwhile, Pope Pius XII invited Jews and other refugees to join the Vatican Palatine Guards. In a few months, their number increased from four hundred to four thousand.

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The records show that the Catholic Church consistently assisted many Jewish victims of Nazi anti-Semitism, even before the outbreak of World War II. One cannot cite out of context, without looking further into documents describing the incomparable and unrelenting efforts of Pius XII, through his nuncios assisting as well, many thousands of Jewish victims.

In some instances, when confronted with frustration, Catholic appeals were made on behalf of baptized Jews, as Catholics, in the hope that they might be respected as such, or on the basis of their civil rights arising from concordats. These appeals should not detract from the singular efforts of the Catholic Church on behalf of the Jewish victims. Documents reveal Pius XII’s untiring steps and appeals for peace, before the outbreak and during the war; and his outstanding help to so many other victims of the war. Nevertheless, his efforts can only be properly characterized as extraordinary, when one considers his persistence in the face of so many efforts that failed, and those that succeeded. Anti-Catholicism continues in attacks on the magisterium of Pope Pius XII who, during his pontificate, was called “Pius the Great,” the “Pope of Peace,” the “Pope of Charity.” At his death in 1958, the universal grief, the world-wide tributes, the expressions of respect, admiration and affection for him were unequalled. No Pope had been faced with such a war-ravaged world and none had brought such relief and consolation to so many.

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