Dectective Work # 5.
Primary Source Investigation
Question & Debate
1. Based on the primary source above and transcript and context below begin a
class discussion of what evidence there is here to confirm the thesis that Pius
XII did intervene personally to save Jews.
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Detective Work
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Intervention from Pius XII in the Case of the Hungarian
Jews
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“Throughout the period of the German occupation of Hungary, which began on March 19, 1944, the papal
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nuncio in Budapest, Angelo Rotta, as well as the pope himself, took measures to help Hungarian Jews. As
early as March 24, Rotta advised the Hungarian government to be moderate in its plans concerning the Jews.
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When this admonition was not heeded, he continued throughout April to approachContinue
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treatment of the Jews. Speaking in the name of the pope, Rotta protested againsthere.
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the Jews--as it happened, on the very day that they began (May 15,1944) but again
no avail.
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the pope himself cabled the Hungarian regent, Miklos Horthy, asking him to reverse
Hungarian
policy
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the Jews. The cable read:
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"We have been requested from several sides to do everything possible to ensure that the sufferings which have
had to be borne for so long by numerous unfortunate people in the bosom of this noble and chivalrous
nation because of their nationality or racial origin shall not be prolonged and made worse. Our fatherly heart, in
the service of a solicitous charity which embraces all mankind, cannot remain insensitive to these urgent
wishes. Therefore I am turning personally to Your Excellency and I appeal to your noble feelings, in full
confidence that Your Excellency
will do everything in your power to spare so many unfortunate people further suffering."
On July 1, the regent replied to the pope's message:
"I received your Holiness's telegraphic message with the deepest understanding and with thankfulness, and I
beg you to be convinced that I am doing all in my power to see that the demands of Christian and
humane principles are respected. May I be permitted to ask that in the hour of grievous trial Your Holiness may
continue to look with favor on the Hungarian people."
Shortly thereafter, on July 7, Horthy ended the first wave of deportations from Hungary. Undoubtedly, the papal
protest, along with those of King Gustaf V of Sweden, Anthony Eden, and President Franklin D.
Roosevelt, contributed to his decision to stop the transports.
Source: Sergio I. Minerbi The Encyclopedia of the Holocaust, New York: Macmillan, 1990, Gutman, Israel (editor in chief)
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