[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.

[AnAmericanMother]

Another poster seems to think that I was attacking you by my joking reference to a police lineup.

I apologize - it was not intended as an attack - and since I have done some lineup work I am probably more aware than most of identification by means of specific facial features.

( . . . but . . . that nose! ;-) )