The newly discovered letter, written by a German Jesuit to Pope Pius XII’s personal secretary, suggests that the pope knew of Hitler’s atrocities but chose to remain silent.
I find it too easy to just shout he should’ve spoken up and condemned it. The catholics were also on the radar for persecution and his words and actions could have had very adverse effects for a large number of people. I’m sure he was appalled by this, but he had to walk a very difficult tight rope during the war. Catholic priests were being persecuted and sent to concentration camps as well, so this isn’t some speculation. Nazi ideology does not tolerate competition.His soft diplomacy was probably geared towards preventing as much harm as possible to catholics in the first place, which was a very large part of occupied Europe.
I don’t know the exact actions of Pius XII, but he was dealt an incredibly shitty hand and played it to the best of his abilities, which is all you could ever ask of someone in his position. It’s easy to say differently sitting comfortably in your chair, but when your actions can mean death or life for millions of people, you would be incredibly careful with your actions and words as well.
I find it too easy to just shout he should’ve spoken up and condemned it. The catholics were also on the radar for persecution and his words and actions could have had very adverse effects for a large number of people. I’m sure he was appalled by this, but he had to walk a very difficult tight rope during the war. Catholic priests were being persecuted and sent to concentration camps as well, so this isn’t some speculation. Nazi ideology does not tolerate competition.His soft diplomacy was probably geared towards preventing as much harm as possible to catholics in the first place, which was a very large part of occupied Europe.
I don’t know the exact actions of Pius XII, but he was dealt an incredibly shitty hand and played it to the best of his abilities, which is all you could ever ask of someone in his position. It’s easy to say differently sitting comfortably in your chair, but when your actions can mean death or life for millions of people, you would be incredibly careful with your actions and words as well.