The Holy See during the World Wars of the 20th Century. An Attempt to Compare the Positions of Benedict XV and Pius XII. Cover Image

Svatý stolec v době světových válek 20. století. Pokus o komparaci postoje Benedikta XV. a Pia XII.
The Holy See during the World Wars of the 20th Century. An Attempt to Compare the Positions of Benedict XV and Pius XII.

Author(s): Marek Šmíd
Subject(s): History, Comparative history, Recent History (1900 till today), History of Religion
Published by: Univerzita Konštantína Filozofa v Nitre, Filozofická fakulta
Keywords: conflicts of 20th century; Vatican; popes; Catholic Church; Benedict XV; Pius XII.;

Summary/Abstract: The study deals with the comparison of the attitudes of the two highest representatives of the Catholic Church, Popes Benedict XV and Pius XII, at the beginning of the World Wars I and II. It reflects their relationship with the great powers and their representatives, diplomatic, political, peace and charitable activities, changes in the Roman Curia and the personalities of the pontiffs in the contemporary political-religious context of that time. The text represents a controversy with the public opinion that the Holy See remained passive during the world conflicts of the 20th century at the same time showing that the attitudes of the two pontiffs were largely similar. The study is based mainly on published sources and numerous literature, especially of English and Italian provenance.

  • Issue Year: 27/2023
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 257-268
  • Page Count: 12
  • Language: Czech