Pius XII. A Book and an Essay

This article includes the essay that is noted in the title.

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Pius XII. A Book and an Essay Shed Light on the Black Legend

The image of Pacelli as "Hitler's pope" is contested by a growing number of scholars. There were many responsible for creating this image, including Catholics. But Soviet propaganda was decisive. A Jesuit historian reveals the strategy

by Sandro Magister

ROME, April 3, 2009 – Recently the Vatican has produced two new texts in defense of Pius XII, the most controversial pope of the 20th century. Both of them are aimed at dismantling the "black legend" about him.

The first is a book that went on sale in Italy yesterday, printed by a non-Catholic publishing house, Marsilio, and written by authors who are also of various cultural and religious backgrounds, including two Jews – but all of whom agree in exonerating pope Eugenio Pacelli.

The second contribution is the essay that opens the latest issue of "La Civiltà Cattolica," the journal that is examined by the secretariat of state before publication. Its author is Jesuit Fr. Giovanni Sale, an historian who specializes in the 20th century Church. Here as well, the title goes to the heart of the question: "The birth of the black legend of Pius XII."

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Addendum (same day, 5:27 PM)
Another article, archived:

A story from www.chiesa with a previous article by Fr. Sale and the essay by Giovanni Maria Vian on the Catholic prehistory of the negative image of Pius XII:

> The Black Legend of Pius XII Was Invented by a Catholic: Mounier (20.6.2005)