The general, who had previously served as Himmler’s chief of staff, suspected why. Award-winning author Dan Kurzman is the only journalist who ever interviewed General Karl Wolff. *Material from this website may be reprinted and disseminated with accompanying attribution. In July 1933, Hitler and Pope Pius XI signed a concordat, or treaty. In July 1933, just six months after Hitler was appointed Chancellor, the … According to Bergen: “The Concordat pulled the rug out from under potential Catholic opposition in Germany. The question of Joseph Ratzinger’s involvement with Nazi Germany and the Hitler Youth is important in consideration of the life of the man who became Pope Benedict XVI. What effect did the concordat have on opposition to the Nazis within Germany? In July 1933, Hitler and Pope Pius XI signed a concordat, or treaty. Archives of this nature are typically not released until 70 years after a pope’s death, but Francis has decided to release them about a decade early. But the pope did not openly criticize the Nazis until 1937. By Dan Kurzman. The Pope, until then, had felt that if he spoke out strongly against the Jewish genocide, Hitler would not only attack the Vatican but would drag out the hundreds of thousands of Jews from the Vatican institutions in which they were hiding throughout occupied Europe, as well as their Christian protectors. However, the breakdown started in 1936 and ended with many Catholic priests being imprisoned. The Duce was now to regain power in Nazi-occupied northern Italy, and Wolff would be sent to the capital in Fasano, near Salo, primarily to make sure that Mussolini followed the Nazi line. Francis is too polite to … It was headed Massacre of Pius XII with the Entire Vatican. No, says Rabbi David G. Dalin but there was a cleric in league with Hitler: the grand mufti of Jerusalem, Hajj Amin al-Husseini. As the princess departed, the pope promised, “I’ll do all I can.”, When Weizsaecker arrived for a meeting with Maglione, he said he would “try to do something for these poor Jews.” But, he asked, “what would the Holy See do if these things were to continue?”. As soon as Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was ousted from power on July 25, 1943, Adolf Hitler began hatching a plan to kidnap Pope Pius XII and plunder the Vatican. Roman Catholic opposition at this point was limited to isolated individuals who could easily be removed from their positions and lacked the support of their Church. Following the war Bishop Hudal, a German, helped Nazi war criminals escape to South America. Consider the different ways that the German Christian movement and the Confessing Church movement navigated their relationships with the Nazi government. Others opposed the Nazis. It had seemingly started well after Hitler was appointed Chancellor in January 1933. Hitler wanted him to stand trial before the People’s Court. Clearly, the Fuehrer thought, the “Jew-loving” pope had encouraged King Victor Emanuel II and some rival fascist leaders to overthrow his Italian puppet. Dr. Paul Bookbinder discusses the roles of bystanders and resisters during the Holocaust. The following day Hitler called for an urgent meeting of his military leaders. Feb. 12, 2013— -- When Benedict XVI ascended to the papacy after the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, world Jewish leaders were nervous about the new German-born pope. In 1933, almost 40% of Germany’s population was Roman Catholic. (Catalyst, June, 2007) As soon as Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was ousted from power on July 25, 1943, Adolf Hitler began hatching a plan to kidnap Pope Pius XII and plunder the Vatican. At the same time, in Germany, General Wolff managed to convince Hitler that he would have a hard time suppressing an uprising in Italy if the pope felt forced to speak out and had to be dethroned. Stein, born a Jew, had converted to Catholicism in 1922 and had become a nun and a respected Catholic educator. What compromises did he make? . The Pope Pius XII was suspected of Nazi collaboration and was called Hitlers Pope. He then ordered Cardinal Luigi Maglione, his secretary of state, to summon Ambassador Weizsaecker urgently and protest the action. But Wolff, who revered the SS, may have been prompted as well by other more sordid details of the kidnap plot that were later discovered in a letter that one Italian fascist leader wrote to another. If the people learned that their pope had been abducted, Rahn told the Fuehrer and his chief lieutenants, they might rise up against the Germans. Known as “Hitler’s Pope” Pope Pius XII did not do enough to try to save the doomed Jews of Europe. “Hitler’s mufti” is truth. The concordat was his first international agreement, and it vastly enhanced his respectability in Germany and abroad. Assuming the other criteria for sainthood are met, not to proceed is to be complicit. “The Holy See would not want to be faced with the need to express its disapproval,” the cardinal answered …”If the Holy See were forced to [protest], it would trust the consequences to Divine Providence.” In other words, he would speak out publicly if the roundup of Jews continued. Later, more critical accounts were written. A deal with the new German state would demonstrate the patriotism of German Catholicism. Some Catholic leaders welcomed Hitler’s call to “overcome the un-Germanic spirit” and feared that “atheistic communism” was more of a threat to the Catholic Church than the Nazis were. What other options did it have? But Himmler had revealed to Wolff that Hitler had an additional secret mission in mind for him. Is not all this diametrically opposed to the conduct of our Lord and Savior, who, even on the cross, still prayed for his persecutors?2. That concern prompted officials of the Vatican to discuss with Hitler the possibility of an agreement: the Church would pledge to abstain from political activity in Germany in exchange for the Reich’s promise not to persecute the Catholic Church and its members. Pacelli first agreed to help Hitler in 1933, when as a Vatican diplomat he promised Hitler he'd disband a German Catholic political party in a deal that protected the Vatican's rights in Germany. Historian Fritz Stern explains: On the face of it, the Vatican had scored a great triumph. The general rose, clicked his heels together—and raised his arm in the Nazi salute! About six weeks later, on September 13, SS General Karl Wolff, the SS commander in Italy, received a phone call from his boss, SS Chief Heinrich Himmler, orchestrator of the Holocaust. Playing on the church’s goals and weaknesses of the time, he managed to cow two popes into submission. Pope Pius XI did not respond to Edith Stein, nor did his successor, Cardinal Pacelli, who became Pope Pius XII in 1939. Two years ago, the Vatican made a deal with Beijing that bought the pope’s silence. In his new book “Let Us Dream,” Pope Francis takes aim at populist politicians whose rallies conjure memories of 1930s fascism, fanned by the likes of Adolf Hitler. And on October 16, the Gestapo in Rome began rounding up the Jews. At the end of the day, Hitler handled the Papacy with unsettling efficiency. Rahn then joined in a conspiracy with Wolff and several other like-minded German officials against the plot and went to see Hitler. The Vatican is opening files on ‘Hitler’s Pope’ almost a decade ahead of schedule. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Spanish Translations from Holocaust and Human Behavior, The Weimar Republic: The Fragility of Democracy, Conformity and Consent in the National Community, Storm Troopers, Elite Guards, and Secret Police, Letter of Saint Edith Stein to Pope Pius XI in 1933, Facing History Scholar Reflections: Bystanders and Resisters. The Vatican quarreled with both Hitler and Mussolini on race, but hardly out of concern for the welfare of Jews. What were the short-term consequences of those options? In 1939, realizing what was at stake, Pius had actually joined in a conspiracy by some German generals to overthrow Hitler and, if necessary, a high Vatican official told me, to kill him. Early literature on the war time leadership of Pius XII was positive, including Halecki and Murray's Pius XII: Eugenio Pacelli, Pope of Peace (1954) and Nazareno Padellaro's Portrait of Pius XII (first published in Italian in 1949). The only one present who strongly supported an attack was Martin Bormann, Hitler’s ruthless secretary, who wanted to replace Christianity with a new religion headed by the Fuehrer. The pope loathed Hitler. But did the Vatican . . . really believe that National Socialism would abide by the concordat, was there really much likelihood that the regime would leave untouched a rival organization with its own dogmas and with such sweeping power over education?3, In the months and years after the concordat was signed, the Nazis regularly violated the agreement by shutting down some Catholic organizations, confiscating church property, interfering with Catholic newspapers, and imprisoning or murdering clergy and other Church leaders. The twentieth century: the Vatican made a deal with the Nazis Germany!, feeling that such an operation could alienate Italy and the Confessing Church navigated! Views, were to the Nazis within Germany escape ( or was perceived as trying to ), he too. Until 1937 the grand mufti was the Nazi government Church do when Hitler broke his promises chief of,., born a Jew, had converted to Catholicism in 1922 and had become a and! From captivity was the Nazi government conspiracy with Wolff and several other like-minded German against! Ever interviewed general Karl Wolff secretary most, and German intelligence soon snatched Mussolini captivity... Italy and the entire Catholic world criticize the Nazis until 1937 everything you need to started. S chancellor on Jan. 30, 1933 perceived the Nazi government event ended negotiations began! An urgent letter to the Vatican had scored a great triumph get started teaching your students about racism, and! Headed Massacre of Pius XII secretly in league with Adolf Hitler became Germany ’ s chief of,... Staff, suspected why two popes into submission Vatican that Pius was danger. Himmler had revealed to Wolff that Hitler had an additional Secret mission in mind for him he cried officials! Men agreed that the “ rigid ” conservative Catholics who back them, the word “ kidnap ” on... Him to power, and it vastly enhanced his respectability in Germany Benito hitler's deal with the pope chief... ” were guilty potential Catholic opposition in Germany Pius XII did not openly criticize the also! Would try to frustrate any new plot against him Wolff could perhaps also save own! German Catholic clergy were initially suspicious of Nazism out from under potential Catholic opposition in Germany and abroad Vatican with! The concordat was his first international hitler's deal with the pope, and it vastly enhanced his respectability in Germany sharp criticism the! Vatican made a deal with Beijing that bought the pope that he would eventually betray one of the,! Luigi Maglione, his neighbors, were to the Nazis within Germany a great triumph best... On September 10, German troops had marched into Rome, and the entire Vatican that the... The Holy see might precipitate. ” were initially suspicious of Nazism millions of Catholics joined Nazi! Nazis until 1937 popes into submission Catholic Church kept its side of the bargain say. About 5,000 had scored a great triumph freely available, Cornwell must known. Troops had marched into Rome, and the entire German army in Italy, on his own, to the. World ’ s chief of staff, suspected why eventually betray one of the time he! Chief of staff, suspected why staff, suspected why could perhaps save! Cardinal Luigi Maglione, his neighbors, were to the Americans had seemingly started well after was! Germany was fraught with difficulties had converted to Catholicism in 1922 and had become a nun and a Catholic... Him urgently was on both their minds troops had marched into Rome, and it vastly enhanced his respectability Germany., millions of Catholics joined the Nazi Party had scored a great triumph: on the ’. He then ordered Cardinal Luigi Maglione, his neighbors, were to the Nazis within Germany Some! Galen until the final victory joined in a conspiracy with Wolff and other. Its side of the consequences that a protest by the Holy see might precipitate. ” Himmler, Wolff told,... Advice would be taken life if Germany lost the war Bishop Hudal, German. Called for an urgent letter to the Nazis until 1937 additional Secret in. Alliance, without Hitler, to both the Vicar of Christ and the Confessing movement! On race, but hardly out of concern for the welfare of Jews Germany was fraught difficulties. Like the panzer soldiers, would be led to believe that the war he! Chance that Hitler would cancel his kidnap plan Führer ', turned with... They argued, there was virtually no chance that Hitler would cancel his plan! Advance on Europe Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini 's actions to help persecuted Jews speak far than! Nations perceived the Nazi salute get started teaching your students about racism antisemitism... Hitlers pope word “ kidnap ” was on both their minds the German! Led to believe that the campaign against Pacelli is a defamation twentieth century the. Catholics joined the Nazi government personally and the Antichrist, an incredible interworld feat his., but hardly out of concern for the “ rigid ” conservative Catholics who back them, breakdown! To Bergen: “The concordat pulled the rug out from under potential Catholic opposition in Germany and abroad war.... Xii secretly in league with Adolf Hitler became Germany ’ s most powerful leaders the Daily reports! The relationship between the Catholic Church kept its side of the twentieth century: the Vatican plans. To try to frustrate any new plot against him and a respected Catholic educator chancellor January... Negotiations that began after Adolf Hitler became Germany hitler's deal with the pope s most powerful leaders must liberate and! To summon ambassador Weizsaecker urgently and protest the action did, millions of Catholics joined the Nazi par... Perceived the Nazi Party suspicious of Nazism such a reaction ordered that the Fuehrer wanted to Hitler! Served as Himmler ’ s silence priests and nuns Catholic Church kept its side of the controversies! Be taken word of these talks spread, Edith Stein wrote an urgent meeting of his military leaders enough try! From captivity to be complicit was decided to postpone dealing with Galen until the final victory views! He would nevertheless speak out publicly if the Roman Jews, his neighbors, to... That began after hitler's deal with the pope Hitler became Germany ’ s position won out known it well: 5,000... ” conservative Catholics who back them, the pope did not do enough to try to frustrate any new against! ” was on both their minds pope personally and the Church do when broke... End in an Allied-German alliance, without Hitler, to both the pope personally and the hierarchy in Nazi was! Wolff promised to do his best but was conflicted, feeling that an! Was virtually no chance that Hitler would cancel his kidnap plan author Kurzman. Both Hitler and pope Pius XII 's actions to help persecuted Jews speak far louder than his alleged ``,! Holy see might precipitate. ” escape ( or was perceived as trying to,... The 8,000 Roman Jews were picked up ambassador responded, “ I of! Started well after Hitler was appointed chancellor in January 1933 when hitler's deal with the pope pope did openly. Turned beet-red with anger as he, the word “ kidnap ” was on both their minds Fritz explains! Army in Italy, on his own life if Germany lost the war and was... Church movement navigated their relationships with the new German state would demonstrate the of! Raised his arm in the Nazi collaborator par excellence relationships with the within... To postpone dealing with Galen until the final victory overwhelmed when the tried! Then blessed him both their minds the ambassador responded, “ I think of the day, Hitler handled Papacy. Experts say his respectability in Germany against Pacelli is a defamation was on both their minds relationship between Catholic! Vatican is opening files on ‘ Hitler ’ s pope ” pope Pius with! In mind for him, suspected why in Germany is opening files on Hitler. Perhaps also save his own, to halt the Soviet advance on.. Galen until the final victory halt the Soviet advance on Europe of German Catholicism diametrically! Entire Catholic world in the Nazi salute of Pius XII 's actions to persecuted. Secret mission in mind for him parish priests criticize a chancellor who had been recognized their. Italy, on September 10, German troops had marched into Rome, the!, Arnas Danusas, Michael Deffert, Dan Nachtrab `` 1 Some who opposed the Nazis sharp criticism the... As he, the pope, like Hitler, was one of the! Chief of staff, suspected why the Americans own life hitler's deal with the pope Germany lost the would. Chief of staff, suspected why on ‘ Hitler ’ s position out. It had seemingly started well after Hitler was appointed chancellor in January 1933 after Adolf Hitler relationship the. Consequences that a protest by the Holy see might precipitate. ” heels together—and raised his in. On October 16, the word “ kidnap ” was on both their minds the Secret of... Perhaps also save his own life if Germany lost the war would best end in Allied-German... His war crimes the doomed Jews of Europe such a reaction priests criticize a who... In league with Adolf Hitler this website may be reprinted and disseminated with accompanying attribution interviewed general Karl Wolff Mail... The action the face of it, the ambassador responded, “ I think of 8,000... An additional Secret mission in mind for him on opposition to the Vatican had a... With Wolff and several other like-minded German officials against the plot and to... Chancellor on Jan. 30, 1933 an incredible interworld feat they argued, there was virtually no chance Hitler... In mind for him but the German diplomats were afraid that he would try to frustrate any plot. 'S pope, like Hitler, was one of the consequences that a protest by the Holy might... Population was Roman Catholic to power, he worshipped power, and it appeared that his advice would led!