Vatican To Open World War II-Era Secret Archives On Former Pope Pius XII [View all]

For decades, Jewish leaders have wondered whether Pope Pius XII, who was elected six months before the outbreak of World War II, truly did everything he could to save lives during the Holocaust. Now historians will be able to dig through Vatican archives to determine for themselves whether the former pontiff did enough to resist the Nazis’ persecution of Jewish people.

Pope Francis announced Monday that he will open up the Vatican’s secret archives on Pius starting March 2, 2020 ― the 81st anniversary of Pius’ election. Francis said he’s opening the records “with a serene and confident mind,” The New York Times reports. “The church is not afraid of history,” Francis told archive personnel during the announcement.

Pius became pope on March 2, 1939, and remained in that role until his death on Oct. 9, 1958. During World War II, the Vatican tried to remain neutral and did not officially denounce Nazism.

The Vatican’s secret archives contain records of the Roman Catholic Church that date back to the eighth century, according to its website.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pope-pius-xii-vatican-secret-archives_n_5c7d3a8be4b0e5e313cd56fc