How Pius XII helped Jews before the Nazi regime occupied Rome

Rome Reports ^ | May 10, 2014

[NYer]

October 16, 1943, is engrained in Italy's history as a day of clear and direct anti-semitism. It's the day when Nazi soldiers evacuated Jews from the Roman Ghetto.

Now, new details show Pius XII helped Jews in Rome, before the events of the so-called "Black Saturday.” Even before the arrival of the Nazis to the Eternal City.

DOMINIEK OVERSTEYNS 

L'Opera della Chiesa

"By July 9th, a monastery was already taking in Jews, and on July 20, a letter from the Diocese arrived. It read: 'This is Papal territory, please do not enter.' And this happened seven weeks before the German occupation of Rome.”

In all, 43 monasteries opened their doors to Rome's Jewish population, before the occupation.

These details were discussed during a conference on Pius XII at Rome's Pontifical Lateran University.

Help continued even after the German Army occupied Rome.

DOMINIEK OVERSTEYNS 

L'Opera della Chiesa

"After Italy's occupation, Rome's Jewish population increased. On June 4, 1944, there were about 9,930, out of which 6,300 received help. That's almost two thirds.”

In a three part investigation, Belgian researcher Dominiek Oversteyns looked into all the details of that dark chapter. From the name of each Jewish person, to where they hid, and for how long.

This specific information was introduced publicly for the first time, and it could change the perception of the role Pope Pius XII played during World War II. 

[SumProVita]

Where is your historical(emphasis on this word) proof?

[SkyPilot]

Your picture isn't one of the Pope.

I didn't know that. Who is he then?

[SkyPilot]

Antisemitism and antiCatholics are a common stew of jealosy, envy and preening hatred that won’t be going away anytime soon and regardless of truth.

How ironic that you wrapped your defense behind the skirt of the Jews - the very people who were given tepid support (at best) during the Holocaust by the Catholic church.

The real problem the Catholic church had then and now concerning the Jews and Israel is that the Catholic church then (and now) subscribes to Replacement Theology.

That was, and is, a very dangerous position. It mocks God's plan for His people, mocks his Covenants, and negates the clear role spelled out in Revelation for the Jews and Israel in the End Times, and through the Millennial Kingdom.

[Hacksaw]

The real problem the Catholic church had then and now concerning the Jews and Israel is that the Catholic church then (and now) subscribes to Replacement Theology.

Did God make 2 covenants? There was nothing "replaced".

[jjotto]

It is indeed Pope Pius XII, and a rather famous photo at that. Doesn’t have any context though.

[AnAmericanMother]

Really, talk about bearing false witness . . .

Why don't you just look at a photo of Pius XII?

That's obviously not the same man. For one thing, he's a lot older.

It's Archbishop Cesare Orsenigo, the Papal Nuncio to Germany. The year was 1935. It was a diplomatic reception. Orsenigo was appointed by Pius XI, Pius XII's predecessor. Unfortunately he was an Italian Fascist and much too chummy with the Nazis.

[AnAmericanMother]

Another story from Mr. Krupp -

Gary Krupp came across the evidence in a letter from a Jewish woman whose family was rescued thanks to direct Vatican intervention.

“It is an unusual letter, written by a woman who is alive today in northern Italy, who said she was with her mother, her uncle, and a few other relatives in an audience with Pius XII in 1947.” Next to Pope Pius during the meeting was his Assistant Secretary of State, Monsignor Giovanni Montini, the future Pope Paul VI.

“Her uncle immediately looks at the Pope and he says, ‘You were dressed as a Franciscan,’ and looked at Montini who was standing next to him, ‘and you as a regular priest. You took me out of the ghetto into the Vatican.’ Montini immediately said, ‘Silence, do not ever repeat that story.’”

[jjotto]

Indeed.

A number of places identify that as Pius. They do look alike but for the chin.

In any case, modern-day criticism of Pius XII is unwarranted. The leadership of American secular Jews didn’t do as much.

[SkyPilot]

Several Google searches say that photo is of him and Hitler. I asked if that isn't him in the photo, then what church official is it? Can you tell me? Another Freeper on this thread said it was Pius XII. Who is it then? Thanks.

[AnAmericanMother]

Hochhuth was a conspiracy nut generally - he also wrote a play claiming that Winston Churchill had ordered the Polish prime minister, Sikorski, murdered in an airplane crash. But Hochhuth didn't check to see if the pilot involved was still alive - he was, and he won a hefty libel judgment.

Pius XII was safely dead when Hochhuth wrote his play.

[SkyPilot]

Ah, just read the bottom of your post. Thanks for that. However, posting a photo from a website that identifies it as the two men is not “false witness.”

[AnAmericanMother]

I just TOLD you! Why don't you just re-read that post?

Your prejudice is blinding you - as well as the other poster who made the obvious off-the-cuff misidentification.

[AnAmericanMother]

Given the obvious disinformation that has been spread about Pius XII, I would think that you would LOOK at the picture a little more closely.

The two men have completely different faces. But folks who hate Catholics and are anxious to slander a good, holy man are blind.

[SkyPilot]

Why are you posting in CAPITOL LETTERS?

[AnAmericanMother]

. . . and the nose . . . and the forehead . . . and the hair . . . and the head shape . . . and the ear set . . . and the height (Hitler was 5'8 and Pope Pius was over 6 feet).

About the only similarity is that they're both dressed as cardinals.

Hope you never have to pick anybody out of a lineup!

[AnAmericanMother]

For emphasis because boldface means more keystrokes.

Also . . . because I get irritated at people who make serious accusations without checking their facts.

You are basically helping spread an old Commie slander against a very good Pope who did all he could to help the Jews. Contemporary Jews, including Golda Meir, Albert Einstein, and the Chief Rabbi of Rome, praised him for his efforts. Twenty years later, a two-bit failed playwright, funded by the STASI, wrote a preposterous six-hour long play, and people take it as gospel.

[AnAmericanMother]

I'm glad you agree that the criticism is unwarranted.

The sad thing is that it was manufactured almost out of whole cloth by Hochhuth in 1963. People have taken it and run with it - most notably John Cornwell, who, however, has recanted most of his thesis set out in Hitler's Pope.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

Cesare Orsenigo, Papal Nuncio to Germany

[jjotto]

Having no divisions, and bearing some responsibility for many others’ safety based on his public pronouncements and behavior, Pius had few options that weren’t suicidal.

I’ll repeat: Secular American Jewish leadership’s kissing up to Roosevelt was cowardly in comparison to Pius’ actions.

[AnAmericanMother]

Pius XII expected to be captured or assassinated by Hitler. He even left sealed instructions in which he resigned from the Papacy - to reduce his value as a hostage.

In fact, Hitler ordered his capture but it did not go through because a number of German commanders were to say the least not keen on it. Admiral Canaris and Gen. Wolff were two who have been mentioned as sabotaging the plan.

But given that he ran a very real risk of death or capture, Pius XII's conduct was quite courageous - and he did save a large number of the Jewish community of Rome by direct action of the most practical kind.