Cardinal Bertone praises Pius XII’s efforts on behalf of Jews

December 24, 2008

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone on Sunday praised Pope Pius XII’s efforts for peace during World War II. Highlighting the pontiff’s efforts on behalf of the Jews, the Vatican secretary of state recalled that Pope Pius gave “refuge to Jews who fled the Nazi fury … When the persecution against the Jews was unleashed, he gave precise and urgent orders to Catholic institutions in Rome so that they would open their doors to men, women and children, who were saved thanks to the courage and sensitivity of the Pope and the Church.”

The secretary of state made his remarks during a homily at the cocathedral basilica in the central Italian city of Montefiascone.

 

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Further information:

• Visita alla Basilica Concattedrale di S. Margherita in Montefiascone: Omelia del Card. Tarcisio Bertone, Segretario di Stato del Santo Padre (Holy See, full text)
• Cardinal Bertone: Pius XII Was Friend of Humanity (Zenit)