I heard a gorgeous woman interviewed on EWTN the other night.The topic: Pope Pius XII. How amazing ! Isn’t he someone we are often attacked on? So, listen up, this is good news ! Pope Pius XII often criticized for not doing enough to save Jews during the Holocaust but truth be told, he is an unsung hero.

The woman? Sr.Margherita Marchione Ph.D., radiating as she spoke of the Myth versus the Man she’d met long ago. Did you know, that he’d given orders to convents in Rome & all over Europe, to open their doors to Jews, hiding these hunted people ? Now, need I mention the great risk defending life took? In Rome alone, he saved 5 thousand Jews thus. A Jewish Historian ( unfortunately, I couldn’t catch his name ! ) gave an estimated figure of 860 000 Jews saved by Pope Pius XII. This Historian named Pius, “The Last Voice of Freedom in Europe”.

The Chief Rabbi of Rome was housed in the Vatican, for safety, at the end of the war, he & his family entered the Catholic Church. Now… this is a very different picture to the one that travels the streets of the world.

My favorite part of this story: I picked up on either Rome Reports or Octava Dies. In Castel Gondolfo, the Papal Summer Residence during the Second World War, the Papal Apartment became a hiding place for Jewish mothers & their babies. 40 babies were born in this ‘Maternity Ward‘ !  As a Midwife, I can’t help but notice: there are 40 weeks in an average pregnancy.  The Church is a ‘fruitful Mother’, like the carvings surrounding the Main Altar in St.Peter’s Basilica of the woman in travail of labor.

In the Scriptures, 40 is symbolic for a time of Trial. 40 years wandering in the desert for the Israelites; Jesus’ 40 days in the desert… So the time of trial was up for the Jews & the world. The Church gave birth to a new time of peace.

Defending life, in season & out of season: Each pregnancy gives birth to a potential, a unique person with gifts he / she alone has to offer the world. These Little Ones, marginalized, poorest of the poor often exterminated, often called “Worthless Blobs” by the Abortion Industry, but we, who know differently speak out.

Pope Pius XII, pray for us, that we may defend  the vulnerable unborn, that they may remain hidden safely within their mothers’ wombs until their time is complete & they may come out into the open & breathe the fresh air of Love & acceptance.

Jesus, help us to see the dignity of each person. That all are a Gift from You. Thank You for revealing to us, our dignity. Amen.

Related Articles

• The Pius Wars, continued (archden.org)