Negative wartime image of Pius XII the product of Soviet propaganda, says Vatican

irishtimes.com

Nov. 7, 2008

THE PORTRAYAL of wartime pope Pius XII as someone indifferent to the fate of Jews and all other victims of Nazism is simply "historically unfounded", according to the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone.

Pope schedules visit to Israel

VATICAN CITY, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI plans to visit Israel in May, stopping en route in Amman, Jordan, an Italian newspaper reported Tuesday.

Pope reportedly plans visit to Israel

JERUSALEM, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI has accepted an invitation from President Shimon Peres to visit Israel in May, sources say.

Vatican official defends Pius XII

VATICAN CITY, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The Vatican secretary of state called claims that Pius XII was "Hitler's Pope" a slur at a conference Thursday on the wartime pontiff.

Vatican WW2 archives to stay closed

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Vatican archives on World War II will not be opened for several years, a spokesman said Thursday.

Vatican, Israel split on Pius XII

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The priest ushering Pius XII through beatification said Thursday an Israeli official who criticized the pope should not interfere in Vatican affairs.

Swastika removed from pope pic on Web site

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Israeli Kadima party leader Tzipi Livni prevailed on a party-related Web site to remove a picture that superimposed a swastika over a picture of Pope Benedict.

Benedict defends Pius XII

VATICAN CITY, Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI defended Pius XII's wartime actions during a mass Thursday on the 50th anniversary of his predecessor's death.

Pope Pius helped save Jews, Benedict says

VATICAN CITY, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- New information shows Pope Pius XII "spared no effort," clearing him from claims he didn't do enough to save Jews during World War II, Pope Benedict XVI said.

Pius XII to wait for beatification

VATICAN CITY, June 17 (UPI) -- A spokesman for the Vatican said Tuesday that Pope Pius XII, controversial for his wartime failure to speak out on the Nazis, won't be beatified soon.

Vatican defends Pius XII

VATICAN, Vatican City, June 6 (UPI) -- A Vatican official is defending Pope Pius XII against claims the World War II-era pontiff was silent in the face of the Holocaust.

Vatican envoy objects to Holocaust caption

JERUSALEM, April 12 (UPI) -- The Vatican ambassador to Israel plans to stay away from the Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony because of a museum exhibit on Pope Pius XII.

Vatican to open WWII Pope Pius material

VATICAN CITY, June 30 (UPI) -- Vatican archives involving Pope Pius XI and the beginning of World War II will be opened to researchers, Pope Benedict XVI announced Friday.

Pius XII barred Jewish kids' repatriation

ROME, Vatican City, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- New evidence has emerged that Pope Pius XII opposed the return of Jewish children to their parents after the Nazis' defeat, The Independent reported.