Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust

Two authors participated in a debate and panel discussion on Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust and the duties and responsibilities of the leaders of institutions. Susan Zuccotti is the author of Under His Very Windows: The Vatican and the Holocaust in Italy, published by Yale University Press. She argued that Pope Pius XII did little to assist European Jews during the Second World War. An opposing point of view was provided by Ronald Rychlak, author of Hitler, the War, and the Pope, published by Genesis Press. In his book and talk, Professor Rychlak argued that the Pope was a public and effective critic of Nazism, and offered examples of actions taken by the Pope to assist Jews in escaping from Nazi authorities. After a debate between these two authors, several other scholars offered some commentary on the subject. Following their remarks, the participants answered a few questions submitted by members of the audience. close