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Here's the problem I see with that attitude:

There are people who have a pet conspiracy theory - they WANT Pius XII to be GUILTY. This is like the "negative pregnant" - it will not be possible under any circumstances to produce sufficient proof for those who cling to their pet theory. If evidence is produced, they will claim that it is forged -- or that the incriminating evidence has somehow been concealed.

Read the title of this thread!

If any other conservative leader had been smeared by an ugly rumor, and later documents were unearthed in STASI archives that the rumor had been created and fomented and paid for by the Soviets, everyone on FR would say, "Oh! So THAT explains it!" and consider the matter closed.

That's what happened with the Rosenbergs when the Venona files were opened. Their guilt was shown beyond any reasonable doubt.

But here, it's as though the Rosenberg supporters retain their unreasonable doubt. They are shouting "But I KNOW the Rosenbergs were innocent! These are forged documents! The fascists have destroyed the information that proved the Rosenbergs were innocent!"

Except it's the other way round, all the evidence found so far (including evidence in STASI files completely unknown when this controversy began) points to Pius XII's innocence and indeed his heroic efforts . . . while the conspiracy theorists are hoping they can still smear a good and brave man.

There are people who have a pet conspiracy theory - they WANT Pius XII to be GUILTY.

Agreed! There is nothing and will be nothing to change the minds of these people. Don't waste your time with them.

Of course there are people who have a pet theory that the Pope, and the Vatican, could have made no errors in their dealings with Hitler. There is nothing and will be nothing to change the minds of these people. Don't waste your time with them.

There are those who believe the truth lies somewhere between these extremes. Where this is will probably never be known. It seems that you fall into the category of "Pope cannot be held responsible to any degree" as evidenced by "Except it's the other way round, all the evidence found so far (including evidence in STASI files completely unknown when this controversy began) points to Pius XII's innocence and indeed his heroic efforts . . . while the conspiracy theorists are hoping they can still smear a good and brave man."

Is your mind completely closed on the subject?