Rating: 
Summary: An Eye-Opener
Review: "This Christmas, more than ever, the Pope is a lonely voice crying out in the silence of a continent." --New York Times editorial, Dec. 25, 1942."Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing the truth." --Albert Einstein in Time magazine, Dec. 23, 1940. "The Pope is virtually accusing the German people of injustice toward the Jews and makes himself the mouthpiece of Jewish war criminals." --Reaction of SS leader Reinhard Heydich to Pius XII's Christmas message of 1942. If these words don't fit with what you've heard lately about Pius XII, this book will be an eye-opener. Marchione has compiled numerous references from journals, statesmen, ambassadors, and both Catholic and Jewish historians which refute recent claims that the Pope presiding during World War II was silent in the face of Nazi atrocities. She portrays instead a man who used his authority to render aid and alleviate the sufferings of all Hitler's victims. While her defense is passionate, she avoids the criticism of bias by basing her statements on the abundance of documents that she brings to bear on the subject. In fact, the book is worth having for the footnotes and bibliography alone. At times touching--as this citation from Jeno Levai, Jewish Hungarian historian: "In the autumn of 1944 there was practically no Catholic Church institution in Budapest where persecuted Jews did not find refuge."*--and at times stunning--as this from Pinchas Lapide, Israeli Consul General in Milan: "The Catholic Church, under the pontificate of Pius XII, was instrumental in saving as many as 860,000 Jews from certain death at Nazi hands."** --the book is a good read as well as a good reference. One weakness of the book to my mind is its cursory treatment of the Concordat made between Germany and the Vatican in 1933. As this political agreement is a point of controversy among those who interest themselves in Jewish-Catholic relations, I think it deserved more prime time. In addition to the numerous footnotes and annotated bibliography, the book contains over 100 pages of selected documents from the Vatican Archives. The two essays by Graham and Blet, both editors of the Vatican archival documents relating to the war, are persuasive and powerful. The Chief Rabbi of Israel, Isaac Herzog, declared in 1945 that "The people of Israel will never forget what His Holiness and his illustrious delegates ... are doing for our unfortunate brothers and sisters in the most tragic hour of our history...." Why should we read this book? So that we will never forget. *Hungarian Jewry and the Papacy **Three Popes and the Jews
Rating:
Summary: Closer to the Truth
Review: After reading John Cornwell's libelous "Hitler's Pope," I sought a neutral and dispassionate history of the Church during World War II. This book does not provide what I sought. It is clearly an apologetic for Pope Pius XII, the Curia, and all things Roman Catholic. Professor Marchione is, after all, also Sister Margherita. There are ditches on both sides of most roads. It is just as possible to fall into one ditch, as it is to fall into the other. Whereas Cornwell fell into the ditch of vilifying an holy and decent man, Marchione falls into the other, seemingly canonizing the late Pontiff well before the Vatican has concluded that (inevitable?) action. Dr. Marchione's commitment to her faith and her passion for this cause, out-shine her scholarship. Nevertheless, this is a scholarly book in which Professor Marchione goes far to prove her points that the Holy Father was not silent in the face of the Holocaust, was not cowered by Hitler, and acted decisely to save hundreds of thousands of intended victims of the Third Reich. The end notes, annotated bibliography, appendices, documents, and indices take up approximately 1/3 of the book. Dr. Marchione's scholarly documentation, alone, makes this book worth reading. Her appeal to the original source documents handily refutes the arguments of Cornwell, Hochhuth, and others, who attempt to drag the good name of the Holy Father through the mud of innuendo and lies. To counter the argument that the Pope kept silence during the Holocaust, Sister Margherita presents to us the encyclicals "Mit Brennender Sorge," and "Summi Pontificatus," as well as the thirty-three wartime messages which directly addressed the issue. To counter the argument that the Vatican did nothing to save the Jews, or others, hunted by the Nazis, she tells us of the thousands hidden in the old Roman ruins under the Papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, and the hundreds of thousands hidden in churches, monasteries, and convents throughout Europe with the knowledge and approval of the Holy See. Then, just to make her point, she introduces us to Israel Zolli, the Chief Rabbi of Rome, who converted to Christianity after the war, taking the Pope's first name as his own. This is not a neutral, dispassionate history. Still, unlike some of what has been written lately about Pope Pius XII, it is fair. It is well documented. It is well written, and it is worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: Closer to the Truth
Review: After reading John Cornwell's libelous "Hitler's Pope," I sought a neutral and dispassionate history of the Church during World War II. This book does not provide what I sought. It is clearly an apologetic for Pope Pius XII, the Curia, and all things Roman Catholic. Professor Marchione is, after all, also Sister Margherita. There are ditches on both sides of most roads. It is just as possible to fall into one ditch, as it is to fall into the other. Whereas Cornwell fell into the ditch of vilifying an holy and decent man, Marchione falls into the other, seemingly canonizing the late Pontiff well before the Vatican has concluded that (inevitable?) action. Dr. Marchione's commitment to her faith and her passion for this cause, out-shine her scholarship. Nevertheless, this is a scholarly book in which Professor Marchione goes far to prove her points that the Holy Father was not silent in the face of the Holocaust, was not cowered by Hitler, and acted decisely to save hundreds of thousands of intended victims of the Third Reich. The end notes, annotated bibliography, appendices, documents, and indices take up approximately 1/3 of the book. Dr. Marchione's scholarly documentation, alone, makes this book worth reading. Her appeal to the original source documents handily refutes the arguments of Cornwell, Hochhuth, and others, who attempt to drag the good name of the Holy Father through the mud of innuendo and lies. To counter the argument that the Pope kept silence during the Holocaust, Sister Margherita presents to us the encyclicals "Mit Brennender Sorge," and "Summi Pontificatus," as well as the thirty-three wartime messages which directly addressed the issue. To counter the argument that the Vatican did nothing to save the Jews, or others, hunted by the Nazis, she tells us of the thousands hidden in the old Roman ruins under the Papal residence at Castel Gandolfo, and the hundreds of thousands hidden in churches, monasteries, and convents throughout Europe with the knowledge and approval of the Holy See. Then, just to make her point, she introduces us to Israel Zolli, the Chief Rabbi of Rome, who converted to Christianity after the war, taking the Pope's first name as his own. This is not a neutral, dispassionate history. Still, unlike some of what has been written lately about Pope Pius XII, it is fair. It is well documented. It is well written, and it is worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely essential reading.....
Review: At long last, a book that will balance the current obession by anti-Catholics to destroy the reputation of the Church.
In the current vogue of anti-Catholicism in the all kinds of media, the Church's role during the Second World War has come under close scrutiny. This scrutiny is not simply the result of historical curiosity but it has a hidden agenda. The enemies of the Roman Catholic Church need to find some kind of proof for anti-Semitism. Many of these writers are simply concerned with the eradication of Christian institutions . what more porwerfull weapon that an accusation of anti-Semitism?
For the general public, these writers, and the companies that publish and commercialize their research, appear to be knights in shining armor. The public simply swallows their so-called research.
Herein lies the tragedy of today's reader.
But along comes Professor Marchione and she seeks to put a stop to this one-sided view of history. hers is a passionate defense of the the Church and one Pope in particular. Marchione's book marches as a breath of fresh air. what makes this book so powerful is that one only has to look at publications such as The New York Times during the Second World War to see praise after praise of the role of the Church in helping Jewish victims of the NAzi persecution. Perusals of other war time publications here and abroad also back up the NYT. It is sad to see how the NYT has changed!!!
it is also sad to see how the American public is duped by writers spouting anti-catholic views...It seems that this is in vogue. Go read Professor MArchione, surely one-sided, but put her book on your balance next to the others. Your views will change.
Rating: 
Summary: A cover story
Review: It never ceases to amaze me how easily reputations and a life's work can be destroyed by untruths in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Margherita Marcione makes no attempt to hide her indignation about those Monday morning quarterbacks who utter unsubstantiated comments and theories. The sheer number of documentary evidence pertaining to Pius's efforts to save as many Jews and others as possible should be sufficient. Testamonials from Jewish civic and religious leaders speak volumes of the gratitude and affection they bestowed on Pius XII. Could the attacks against Pius actually be a thinly veiled attack against the Catholic Church? Where, in balance is the criticism of world leaders of the day, Churchill, Roosevelt and their like? Where is the condemnation of the Red Cross or the American Jewish community for their "silence" and lack of action? Marcione's book is not an apology but a no nonsense defense of one of the few men of his day to not only "talk the talk but also walk the walk," that saved hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of innocent people, Jews and non-Jews alike. Although it is written from the point of view of defending Pius's actions, the author provides a complete reference bibliography for the serious searcher of truth. Perhaps the critics of Pius should make availabile an equal amount of factual data to defend their position.
Rating:
Summary: Neither left nor right
Review: Marchione's documentation is superb. She shows how many Jews, starting with the Grand Rabbi of Rome, praised Pius XII for his heroic efforts to save them from the Nazis. She also shows the source of the calumny against Pius XII which began with Hochhuth's 1963 play the Deputy (most of the characters and texts of the play are in fact pure fiction). What is new here is how Pius XII's peace efforts made him a bete noire to both sides. He wouldn't bless the Russian Comuninists (so he must be secretly pro-Axis). He wouldn't bless the Nazis (so he must be secretly pro-Allied). He despised both the concentration camps and the obliteration bombing, both the Nazi invasions and the Allied calls for unconditional surrender----eminently moral positions, but not one to win applause from belligerents looking for religious cheerleaders.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good points made, much not examined.
Review: Mechione is a well-intentioned woman whose thesis is that Pope Pius tried to prevent the holocaust. Relying upon items in Vatican files and the efforts of some church members to stem suffering, she argues that Pope Pius was misunderstood. It is clear some Catholics saved Jews at tremendous risk to themselves and that Italian Jews were spared due to the activity of the Vatican as profiled in a well-known movie. Nonetheless, the well-intentioned author fails to address some tough points and glosses over others. Here are a few:
1. The Vatican executed an important concordance with Nazi Germany and later with fascist Italy. These could resonably be construed as their approval, at least allowance of these governments. Religious Catholics could believe that participation in these regimes did not offend Catholic traditions.
2. Some priests and church officials were supporters of the Nazi regime.
3. In the US, Father Coughlin was a vicious anti-semite who told Americans the Jews were trying to involve the US in a fool-hardy war. The depth and spreadth of his anti-semitism and support among Catholics and other Christians can't accurately be conveyed here. What is clear is that Pius did not stop him and his anti-semitic comments could reasonably be construed to represent Church teachings.
4. Temples were looted and burned in Crytallnacht. One priest stood by the temple and said stop do not do this. But 1, only 1. The others stood silent as Jews were terrorized and their places of worship burned. Had Pius vigorously intervened here, the holocaust could have been prevented, at least Catholic participation limited.
5. The extent of suffering and death was high in Catholic countries like Poland. Polish Catholics enthusiastically provided names of Jewish men, women, and family to Nazi officials, so they could be arrested, property taken, and most sent to concentration camps for death. One million Jews could not have been located in Poland without the active support and participation of Polish Catholics.
6. Catholics represented an important component of the German SS, Getstapo, and concentration camp guards. Had they believed their participation in the holocaust was morally wrong or prohibited by church dogma, suffering would have been less.
7. German Catholics, French Catholics and other Nazis attended mass, took communion, refrained from divorce or abortion and followed church teaching all the while arranging to imprison and kill Jews. To suggest that this large-scale murder of Jews took place against the wished of the Vatican strains credulity.
Catholics arrested and killed Jews, at the same time they attended communion, and refrained from divorce and abortion. They followed church teachings at the time.
In short, Catholics played a vital role in helping bring Hitler to power, destroying Jewish synagogues, enforcing racial laws, capturing Jewish women and children, killing them, and bringing the holocaust to its sad conclusion.
8. Did a few Israeli officials say some nice words about Pius. Sure. Remember the time. The new state had been attacked by four separate countries. Aside from the US there were few places for Jews to go. They had been murdered in Germany, France, Poland, Ukraine, and elsewhere. This was a time no offend people.
We can recognize the current Pope as a great man who is bringing people together. We do not seek to level current church members with the sins of the past. However, if the purpose of the book is to set down an accurate record, it fails. Many Catholics seek a defense of Pope Pius just like Capernicus's foes sought to show the planets revolved around the earth. Since neither represent the truth, the efforts are unsuccessful.
Rating:
Summary: Pope Pius XII : Architect for Peace
Review: Sister Margherita Marchione has done a great service to the World for telling the truth about Pope Pius XII during WW II. It is easy for us to sit back and Monday Morning Quarter Back as to what he should and should not have done. What had any religious leader done about the slaughter in Africa or Bosnia?
Rating:
Summary: Think Pius XII was Hitler's Pope? Think again.
Review: The book provides an excellent overview of the Pope's role during World War II in light of history. The evidence in support of the Pope is overwhelming, to say the least. An eye-opening refutation of Cornwell's book, "Hitler's Pope."
Rating:
Summary: Veritas
Review: This is a superb study of Pius XII's work for peace and for aid to the persecuted during World War II. What is overhwelming here is the documentation of the literally thousands of times when Pius XII, his nuncios, and the various institutions of the Catholic Church reached out to save persecuted Jews. An irrefutable argument.
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