Wolf complains of research arrest: Pius XII. And the Holocaust in the shade?

Wolf complains of research arrest: Pius XII. And the Holocaust in the shade?

Bonn, Deutschland - In the past few weeks, the research on Pope Pius XII. and intensified his role during the Second World War. Hubert Wolf, church historian from the University of Münster, criticizes the indifferent interest of German scientists in the current edition of Herder Correspondence in the newly opened Vatican files from the term Pius' XII. (1939-1958). Wolf emphasizes that German research on the subject of "Pius XII and the Holocaust" after the archive opening in 2020 has remained significantly underrepresented, while interest in the files of Pius XI. Was still great in 2003. One reason for this distance could be excessive focus on topics such as the colonial genocide that does not respect the importance of the Holocaust. Wolf also criticizes the lack of dialogue between theologians and historians, which would be crucial for a better understanding of the complexity of these historical events.

New light on Pius XII.

Current research from the Vatican Archives have now to reveal documented evidence that show that Pius XII. as early as autumn 1942 learned about the mass destruction of the Jews. Historians report that the Pope did not react to reports on the atrocities in Warsaw and Lemberg and that information was exaggerated. These topics were discussed by various experts, such as historians Robert A. Krieg. In the context of these revelations, the question is raised whether the Pope was actually a "German" Pope who, for fear of communism, came up too much, as Wolf states. From the beginning, Pius' legacy has burdened these "silence" during the Holocaust with moral controversy, since critics consider the Pope's refusal to publicly face the Nazis as serious moral misstep.

In summary, it should be noted that research on Pius XII. is still shaped by a variety of unresolved questions. Scientists not only have to analyze the new documents from the Vatican Archives, but also take into account the internal political dynamics of the time. In view of the complexity of this topic, research is still in the beginning, according to Wolf, who already realizes that the upcoming questions will employ the researchers for years. As Smithsonian magazine , the challenge is now, a complete and differentiated picture of the actions and Omissions Pius' XII. to draw.