Pope Pius XII: Architect for Peace / Margherita Marchione

Although the subject of much controversy among Christians and Jews alike, Pius XII was not insensitive to the plight of the Jews in World War II, but on the contrary did much in his own way to save them. This is the thrust of Dr. Marchione's book, continuing the painstaking research she began in Yours Is a Precious Witness. That was an oral history from Jewish survivors who credit Pius XII with saving them from the Nazis. This new book taps wartime Vatican documents--long available and long ignored--to provide persuasive evidence that the "silent Pope" was working for peace. Her fascinating book makes available for the first time English translations of Vatican documents and wartime correspondence, revealing the Vatican's little-known wartime campaign that saved almost a million Jews.

Dr. Marchione incorporates expert analyses and commentaries on the subject, and dozens of photos, appendices, and notes--all to balance what has been till now a very one-sided look at events. Because of its documentary value, this title is must reading by anyone who has an opinion on Pius XII, although each side may find further argument in it. It's also critically important for Church historians, Church leaders, Holocaust scholars, and anyone involved in the Jewish-Christian dialogue.

Read the review in AD2000 here.