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Pope Benedict XVI- Addresses |
"Not All the Genuine
Facets Have Been Examined In a Just Light"
Address
of H.H. Pope Benedict XVI
To Gary Krupp on Pope Pius XII Symposium
Castel Gandolfo, Italy
September 18, 2008
Dear Mr Krupp,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am happy to meet with you at the conclusion of the important
symposium organized by the Pave the Way Foundation. I know that
many eminent scholars have participated in this reflection on
the numerous works of my beloved predecessor - the Servant of
God Pope Pius XII - accomplished during the difficult period
around the time of the second world war. I warmly welcome each
of you especially Mr Gary Krupp, President of the Foundation,
whom I thank for the kind words expressed on your behalf. I am
grateful to him for informing me how your work has been
undertaken during the symposium. You have analyzed without bias
the events of history and concerned yourselves only with seeking
the truth. I also greet those accompanying you on this visit, as
well as your family members and loved ones at home.
The focus of your study has been the person and the tireless
pastoral and humanitarian work of Pius XII, "Pastor Angelicus."
Fifty years have passed since his pious death here at Castel
Gandolfo early on the ninth of October 1958, after a
debilitating disease. This anniversary provides an important
opportunity to deepen our knowledge of him, to meditate on his
rich teaching and to analyze thoroughly his activities. So much
has been written and said of him during these last five decades
and not all of the genuine facets of his diverse pastoral
activity have been examined in a just light. The aim of your
symposium has been precisely to address some of these
deficiencies, conducting a careful and documented examination of
many of his interventions, especially those in favour of the
Jews who in those years were being targeted all over Europe, in
accordance with the criminal plan of those who wanted to
eliminate them from the face of the earth. When one draws close
to this noble Pope, free from ideological prejudices, in
addition to being struck by his lofty spiritual and human
character one is also captivated by the example of his life and
the extraordinary richness of his teaching. One can also come to
appreciate the human wisdom and pastoral intensity which guided
him in his long years of ministry, especially in providing
organized assistance to the Jewish people.
Thanks to the vast quantity of documented material which you
have gathered, supported by many authoritative testimonies, your
symposium offers to the public forum the possibility of knowing
more fully what Pius XII achieved for the Jews persecuted by the
Nazi and fascist regimes. One understands, then, that wherever
possible he spared no effort in intervening in their favour
either directly or through instructions given to other
individuals or to institutions of the Catholic Church. In the
proceedings of your convention you have also drawn attention to
his many interventions, made secretly and silently, precisely
because, given the concrete situation of that difficult
historical moment, only in this way was it possible to avoid the
worst and save the greatest number of Jews. This courageous and
paternal dedication was recognized and appreciated during and
after the terrible world conflict by Jewish communities and
individuals who showed their gratitude for what the Pope had
done for them. One need only recall Pius XII's meeting on the
29th of November 1945 with eighty delegates of German
concentration camps who during a special Audience granted to
them at the Vatican, wished to thank him personally for his
generosity to them during the terrible period of Nazi-fascist
persecution.
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for your visit and for the
research you have undertaken. Thanks also to the Pave the Way
Foundation for its ongoing activity in promoting relationships
and dialogue between religions, as witnesses of peace, charity
and reconciliation. It is my great hope that this year, which
marks the fiftieth-anniversary of my venerated predecessor's
death, will provide the opportunity to promote in-depth studies
of various aspects of his life and his works in order to come to
know the historical truth, overcoming every remaining prejudice.
With these sentiments I invoke upon you and the proceedings of
your symposium an abundance of divine blessings.
© Copyright 2008 - Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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