The English edition of the book has this rather clearer version which demonstrates how the above one has been altered. At least this one shows that the chap wearing the peaked cap is obviously the driver; nevertheless, the juxtaposition of the title is says it all. Originally, the picture was referred to on the dust-jacket as being from 1939, "Cardinal Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII, leaving the presidential palace in Berlin."
All pretty damning, no? Cardinal Pacelli, just before becoming Pope Pius XII, consorts with the Nazis and is saluted by them after visiting Hitler ... or something?Here is the picture without blurring or additions:
It is actually from 1927. Archbishop Pacelli, then papal nuncio to Bavaria, had been to a birthday reception for Hindenberg, the President of the Weimar Republic. (Hitler did not become chancellor for another six years.) The soldiers in the picture are soldiers of the Weimar Republic. They are not the SS.Why then, I wonder, was this picture chosen to illustrate Robert Mickens' article "Anger as Pius moves closer to sainthood" in today's Independent? The caption to the picture is:
"Pope Pius XII leaves the presidential palace in Berlin in 1927. The controversial former pontiff was moved a step closer to sainthood on Saturday"They managed to get the date right but I wonder how many Indie readers know without looking up google, that Archbishop Pacelli was not made a cardinal until 1929, and was not elected Pope until 1939. The picture is used, as ever, to give a sombre hint, in vintage black and white, of Pope Pius XII consorting with the Nazis.
See also a good post from R. J. Grigaitis: Photographic Evidence of the Pope Meeting Hitler
While we are on the subject of Pope Pius XII, you might like to have a look at a post from January 2007: "KGB plotted to discredit Pius XII" and the links given there. Basically, Ion Mihai Pacepa, a high-ranking intelligence official in Roumania who defected to the West, tells National Review Online how the KGB organised the play "The Deputy" in order to discredit the Church.
Father Gumpel, relator of the cause for beatification of Pius XII, urged prudence over some aspects of the revelations of Pacepa but was in agreement over "The Deputy" being a tool of Soviet propaganda. In countries under Soviet occupation, the showing of the film was obligatory at least once a year in major cities.
16 comments:
Excellent post. Thank you. I was aware of those facts but glad to see them being publicised again. Venerable Pius X11 was and still is my hero. We have not had a Pope like him since. imho. It was marvellous to see so many groups even non -Catholic Doctors and scientists who sought to be addressed by him.I remember my own doctor, Dr. Jones, a Methodist, in Ireland weeping when he died, and asking me "What will the world do without him?"
Father
I found a very good article where Professor Sir Martin Gilbert, the highly respected historian and himself a Jew gives his view.
He has praised Pius XII’s efforts to save Jews and says that Pius personally saved more Jews in Rome (percentagewise) than was saved in any other capital city under the Nazis, except Budapest, which was also a Papal initiative.
Here's the link
Martin Gilbert
It's a long interview but worth listening to carefully. It is very rewarding to hear the measured tones of an expert in his field, without polemic.
He also mentions the role of the Polish nation and the number of Catholics who were executed by the Nazis for their Jewish compatriots.
It doesn't surprize me that they continue to slander Pope Pius XII. Thank God, Papa Benedetto isn't letting that affect the move to make him a saint.
Since Germany did not sign a concordat with the Holy See until 1933, Archbishop Pacelli was only Nuntio to Bavaria with residence in Munich at the time the picture was taken (1927). Otherwise, I completely agree with you...
Perhaps the fact that his cause has proceeded thus far despite these attempts by Satan, is indeed the miracle required to promote his cause further.
JARay
Ansgar - thank you for the correction which I have incorporated into the post.
Would that be the same Robert Mickens whose articles in The Tablet are so supportive of the current incumbent of the See of Peter?
Am I right in thinking that it was Mrs Mickens who owned the pie shop in Blackadder ?
Zephyrinus - No, you're wrong, I'm afraid. It was Mrs Miggins (not Mickens) who owned the pie shop.
The statement by Vatican spokesman, Fr Lombardi, on Pope Pius XII's cause is to my mind, quite unnecessarily apologetic in tone.(see zenit.org).
In reporting the move the BBC radio tells us it moves Pius XII closer to 'Roman Catholic sainthood'. probably to allay fears that he may become an Anglican or Methodist saint...
Ohhhhhh !!!!
Very good analysis. I have always felt quite sorry for Cardinal Pacelli. Damned if he did and damned if he didn't.
I am not a Roman Catholic, but I am interested in truth not propaganda
Many thanks for your comment, Stephen; it is good to hear from someone impartial. I think that it is easy for us to look back with hindsight and say what others ought to have done during that terrible time.
Very good! This is really clear - perhaps I can pass this on to the history department at the school where I teach. It would be great to get those A Level kids thinking about truth rather than propaganda in our own era. God bless!
Excellent post and interesting comments. Of course, Pius is slandered but I just wonder whether the publicity of furthering his cause might be an unessassary distraction. there is no need to canonise him. A better candidate got Pope Benedict to support is Henri de Lubac who was a co founder of the journal Communio with the then Cardinal Ratzinger and Von Balthasar. De Lubac was most influential in the development of Pope Benedict's theology; and, it could be argued, along with Newman, is one of the inspirations behind this papacy's modern orthodoxy.
Much respect and many, many thanks for your excellent post. The truth will continue to be revealed about this holy man of God!
Venerable Pius XII, pray for us.
Mike H.
Toronto Canada
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