- Pius XI audience with Cardinal
Pacelli, 13 May 1933
“I
explained to the Ambassador [of Italy] that, after the Holy Father, on
Christmas Eve, had made such a great public protest against religious
persecution in Germany, it would naturally have been painful for him to read in
the papers last night and this morning [...] a glorification to the level of
delerium of Hitler and National Socialism. And this, at a moment wheb there is
not a single piece of reassuring news from Germany, not
from Nunzio, nor from the bishops, nor for anywhere else, as regards the
Government.”
-
Cardinal Pacelli, Papal Secretary of State, 8 January 1938
“During
the Audience the Holy Father remained firm in his view [not to receive the Polish
foreign minister], and as to the distinction between the Minister and the
person of Mr. Beck, He responded with indignation that they wanted him to play
the part of Pilate and that he did not want to give the world a bad an example.
[...] As for the disastrous consequences that are expected to come from such a refusal,
the Holy Father he was sorry, but added that no one can prevent every bad thing
from occuring. Rather, it was necessary to enlighten Mr. Beck and let him know
the reality a situation that does not depend on the Holy See.”
-
Pacelli to Chargé d’affairs Janikowski, 1 March 1938
