When one examines the Vatican’s documented interventions on behalf of those persecuted by the Nazis,
one observation must be addressed. A commonly held belief is that these actions seem only to be credited
to individual priests, bishops, or Vatican offi cials. Th e credit for these directives, which, under any other
circumstances would be issued by the Pope directly, has been strategically stripped from Pius XII. It is akin
to saying an individual soldier won the war, while the commander did nothing. However, when negative
accusations are made, such as the existence of the “Vatican Ratline,” they are skillfully blamed directly on
Pope Pius XII. When the actions of rogue Catholic clergy, who helped Nazi criminals escape from Europe
are reported in current documentaries and books, one often sees the image of St. Peter’s Basilica and that of
Pope Pius XII accompanying the story. Ironically, evidence we have gathered demonstrates the abhorrence
Pius XII had for the Nazis, further sustained by his eff orts to support the assassination of Hitler. Pius XII was
also aware of the Nazi plot to kill him and seize the Vatican. In light of this information it is simply illogical
to claim that Pius XII and the Vatican helped Nazi criminals escape justice.
Lifesaving tactics were, in many cases, similar in unrelated regions of the world. In other words, actions in
Budapest are similar to those in Istanbul, Assisi, Campagna, Portugal, and elsewhere. Th e circumstance and
threats were diff erent, but the same drive to save Jewish lives, utilizing whatever methods possible is evident.
Whether through political intervention with government leaders or secretly transporting refugees off the
European continent, the objective was the same. It is unrealistic that these actions could have taken place
without some sort of central authority directing and supporting them. Vatican documents from the secretary
of state support that these actions were centrally coordinated, and individual initiatives were approved by the
Pope. Not all of the eff orts of every bishop or priest were the same. Anti-Semitism existed then, as today. Th ere
were many who, because of their personal prejudices, did not follow papal instructions with equal dedication
or, in some cases, did not at all.
Source: Pope Pius XII and World War II: The Documented Truth