The debate over Pius XII and the Vatican’s lack of decisive action during Hitler’s Final Solution continues, just as it did after World War II. Inside the Vatican of Pius XII shares the insights of American diplomat Harold H. Tittmann, Jr., who spent four years in the Vatican. His memoir recounts encounters with Pius XII and daily life in the Vatican, detailing his efforts to assist and hide escaped prisoners of war while dealing with enemy representatives. By capturing the beauty and seriousness of events in St. Peter’s, the Sistine Chapel, and the Pope’s private chapel, Tittmann’s gives us an intriguing insight.

Before becoming Pope Pius XII in 1939, as Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, he was a vocal critic of Nazism. As Vatican Secretary of State, he helped draft the 1937 anti-Nazi encyclical Mit brennender Sorge (With Burning Concern), which condemned Nazi ideology. He also made numerous protests against Nazi policies, including their “ideology of race.” Some sources indicate he denounced aspects of emerging Nazi ideology in over 40 speeches during his time as papal nuncio in Germany. The Nazis themselves viewed him as an opponent, with their newspaper “Der Stürmer” mocking him as a “Jew-lover.”

The relationship between Pope Pius XII and Hitler was one of opposition to Nazism, though the methods employed by the Pope, particularly his public “silence” on specific atrocities, remain a subject of intense historical debate. While he clearly despised Nazi ideology and worked behind the scenes to aid victims, often providing refuge to those fleeing persecution, he also supported various efforts to remove Hitler from power. His diplomatic strategies included discreet communications with other political leaders and influencers, aiming to undermine the Nazi regime’s hold on Europe. Nevertheless, his public actions have been widely scrutinized; critics argue that his lack of vocal condemnation of the regime’s heinous crimes allowed for a continued atmosphere of terror and oppression. This complex dynamic is further complicated by the emergence of newly opened Vatican archives, which have provided historians with a deeper understanding of the Pope’s motivations, actions, and the context within which he operated, leading to ongoing analysis and debate about his legacy in the face of one of history’s darkest chapters.

This book suffers from this recent availability of primary sources and the myopic view of one diplomat, which understandably is about his story and relationships in the Vatican. While the insights provided are valuable, they are limited by the diplomat’s personal perspective, often overlooking the broader historical context and the multitude of factors influencing events in the Holy See. Additionally, the reliance on a singular narrative diminishes the complexity of diplomatic interactions and the diverse motivations of various stakeholders involved. As more primary sources become accessible, a more nuanced understanding can emerge, shedding light on the intricacies of international relations at play during this pivotal period.

Whilst broadly speaking I was aware of the controversy surrounding the Vatican during WW2, this book enlightened me a lot more, revealing layers of complexity and moral dilemmas that I had not previously considered. The intricate relationship between the Vatican and the events of the Holocaust became increasingly clear as I delved deeper into the subject. So much so that I have researched and found that in 2020 the Vatican had released millions of previously hidden documents on Pope Pius XII, allowing scholars and the public greater insight into his actions and decisions during a pivotal period in history. These include not only transcripts of negotiations between the pope and Nazis but also correspondences that highlight the church’s strategic considerations amidst the turmoil. Following the release of these documents, historian David Kertzer has published a book in 2022 titled “The Pope at War: The Secret History of Pius XII, Mussolini, and Hitler,” which investigates the critical role that the Vatican played in European politics during the war and raises important questions about faith, power, and accountability that continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about moral leadership and historical memory. This book is on the way from Amazon.