The most important witness in the case of Pius XII was Israel Zolli, who was intellectual (professor at the University of Rome), witness of the events, and spiritual leader of the Jews of Rome (he was Chief Rabbi of the Great Synagogue of Rome) Zolli was a representative of the Jews of Rome between 1940-1945. His testimony is conclusive.
I quote from Zolli’s book “Before the Down”:
“There is no place of sorrow where the spirit of love of Pius XII has not reached. Volumes could be written on the multiform works of succour of Pius XII. The Catholic priesthood throughout the whole world, religious men and women and the Catholic laity, stand behind the great Pontiff. Who could ever tell what has been done? The rule of severe enclosure falls, everything and all things are at the service of charity. As the sufferings grow, so grows the light from the heart of Christ, and from His Vicar; more vigilant and ready for sacrifice and martyrdom are his sons and daughters in Christ. Young Levites and white-haired priests, religious of all orders, in all lands, dedicated Sisters, all in quest of good works and ready for sacrifice. There are no barriers, no distinctions. All sufferers are children of God in the eyes of the Church, children in Christ, for them and with them all suffer and die. No hero in history has commanded such an army; none is more militant, more fought against, none more heroic than that conducted by Pius XII in the name of Christian”
Israel Zolli finally converted to Christianity and took the name Evgenio to honor Pius XII.
Some remarks:
- The documentary presents the views of the current chief rabbi of Rome who lives 80 years after the events, and not the views of the chief rabbi who experienced the events. Zolli played a leading role in the events
- You can not evaluate the events if you have not experienced them. Catholic Church was under persecution in Germany. Hitler hated Christianity and especially Catholicism. He was an anti-Christian before became anti-Semite. August Kubizek (the roommate and close friend of Hitler), for example, describes that at 18 years old, Hitler wanted to write an Opera libel against Christianity. Richard Evans (the great historian of Nazism) describes the persecutions of Catholics. The situation was dynamic. There was the chance, if the Pope intervened more powerfully do harm than good.
