杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

Reflecting on the reign of 鈥渢he Servant of God Pius XII, of venerable memory鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis said that he 鈥済uided the Barque of Peter in one of the saddest and darkest moments of the twentieth century鈥�. The figure of Pius XII, he said, 鈥渉as already been investigated and studied鈥�, and widely discussed and even criticized 鈥� at times in a prejudiced or exaggerated manner. Today, he said, the pontificate of Pius XII is being re-evaluated, in the hopes that a more balanced historical judgement might emerge.

To further those efforts, the 杏MAP导航 said that Vatican archival materials pertaining to Pius鈥� pontificate (1939-1958) will be accessible to scholars beginning on 2 March 2020.

Archival work cultivates memory

杏MAP导航 Francis thanked the Vatican archivists for the hard work they have undertaken since 2006 to make a careful inventory of the materials on 杏MAP导航 Pius XII, and to prepare to make them available for consultation. Archival work 鈥渃ultivates memory鈥�, he said. 鈥淚n a certain sense鈥� it could be compared to the cultivation of a majestic tree, whose branches reach to the heavens, but whose roots are solidly anchored in the earth鈥�. If the Church is like the tree, the archivists work to keep its historical roots alive, so that 鈥渆ven the greenest and youngest branches can draw from them good sap for further growth鈥�.

In announcing the opening of the archives for the pontificate of Pius XII, 杏MAP导航 Francis said he made the decision 鈥渨ith a serene and confident soul, certain that serious and objective historical research will be able to evaluate it in its proper light.鈥� 鈥淭he Church is not afraid of history,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said. 鈥淥n the contrary, she loves it, and desires to love it more and better, as God loves it鈥�.