Jesuit journal cites new evidence that Pius XII helped save Jews

Published: 2003-12-04

ROME (CNS) -- New evidence has emerged to support the Vatican view that Pope Pius XII worked quietly but systematically to help save Jews during the Nazi occupation of Rome, an influential Jesuit magazine said. The magazine, La Civilta Cattolica (Catholic Civilization), reported in its Dec. 6 issue that during the war years the late pope frequently confided in the magazine's director, Jesuit Father Giacomo Martegani, who kept a diary of their conversations. The diary contents show that the pope was aware of and approved the church's efforts to help Jews threatened with deportation from Rome, the magazine said. At the same time, it said, the pope clearly wanted the church to keep a low profile, lest it provoke a Nazi reprisal against church agencies and the Jews themselves.

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