Geoffrey Robertson: Pope Pius XII did everything to help the Nazis, and nothing to save the Jews

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Filmed at the Royal Institution of Great Britain on 14th November 2012.

Event info:

Pope Pius XII (1939-58) has been described as "the most dangerous cleric in modern history". He was silent -- his critics argue -- and did nothing during the Holocaust to help the Jews. Others disagree, claiming that he helped save a larger percentage of Jews in Rome than were rescued in any other city under German occupation, and that altogether he prevented thousands of Jewish deaths throughout Italy and across Europe. Was Pius part of a broad Roman Catholic anti-Semitic tradition, subordinating compassion for the Jews to his goal of increasing the power of the papacy? Or a good man doing his best in difficult circumstances?

Both sides are passionate about their positions on this controversial historical figure, but who is right?