Radio Moscow Linked to Rumors Against Pius XII

VATICAN CITY, JUNE 13, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Newly published research reveals that the "black legend" against Pope Pius XII was launched by Radio Moscow at the end of World War II.

Pius XII, who on his death received tribute from numerous heads of democratic states and from key Jewish representatives, has been described by some publications as an ally of totalitarian regimes. In particular, he has been accused of being "silent" in the face of Nazism.

Now, an article in the latest issue of the Italian review La Civiltà Cattolica, signed by Father Giovanni Sale, analyzes the Communist radio's role in defaming Pius XII, specifically its reaction to the Pope's address of June 2, 1945, the feast of St. Eugene.

On June 7, 1945, Radio Moscow broadcasted a program which "assumed … a paradigmatic value, as it summarized very well the point of view of the radical left about the Holy See's activity during the time of the war," affirms the historical research.

"Those who heard the Pope's address on the occasion of the feast of St. Eugene, have been extremely surprised to learn that the Vatican, during the past years of Hitler's dominance in Europe, acted with courage and audacity against the criminal Nazis. What the Vatican really did states the contrary," claimed Radio Moscow.

"Spread distrust"

"In fact, if the Vatican acted in this way, it did so to maintain the vigilant policy of protection of Hitler and Mussolini," added the Communist radio.

"No atrocity carried out by the Hitlerites stirred the contempt and indignation of the Vatican," Radio Moscow claimed. "The latter was silent when the German death machines were active, when the chimneys of the crematorium ovens spewed smoke, when grenades and projectiles were thrown against the peaceful population of London, when the Hitlerite doctrine of elimination and extermination of nations and peoples was being transformed into a harsh reality."

Radio Moscow lamented that Pius XII was filling his address with allusions against the Soviet Union and international Communism to "provoke differences and spread distrust among the Allies."

The author of the La Civiltà Cattolica article states that "the international Communist press, and not only the latter, was totally aligned to Moscow's directives on this matter."

The article adds: "So began the 'Black Legend' -- which in the main has come down to our days -- of a Pius XII friend and ally of the Nazis; the Pope who supported, for reasons of political interest, the Fascist totalitarian regimes and declared enemies of popular democracy."