Benedict praises holiness of Pius XII

FROM CAROL GLATZ IN VATICAN CITY
POPE liENEDIcf xVI prayed that the sainthood Cause of Pope Pius XII would proceed smoothly at a memorial Mass held in St Peter's Basilica.
Pope Benedict said "courage and patience" and a constant striving for holiness marked the pontificate and life of Pope Pius, whose pontificate spanned the "tumultuous years" during and after Second World War and who died on October 9.1958. "While we pray the Cause of beatification of the servant of God, Pius XII. may happily continue. it is wonderful to remember that holiness was his idea' — an ideal he never forgot to propose to everyone," Pope Benedict said in his homily.
Critics have said they believe Pope Pius did not speak out clearly enough in defence of the Jews during the war or was indifferent toward the victims of Nazism.
Pope Benedict put Pope Pius's case on hold last year after members of the Congre gation for Saints' Causes unanimously voted to recommend the Pope formally declare him Venerable, a step toward canonisation.
Instead Pope Benedict set up a commission to study new archival material about his predecessor's papacy and to examine how his possible beatification would impact CatholicJewish and Vatican-Israeli relations.
The Mass last week was attended by thousands of the faithful and hundreds of cardinals and bishops from around the world who intertupted their discussions during the world Synod of Bishops on the Bible to participate in the memorial Mass.
Pope Pius's pontificate began in 1939 just as "the threatening clouds of a new world conflict were gathering over Europe and the rest of the world", Pope Benedict said. The pontiff was already aware of the impending danger hidden in the "monstrous socialistNazi ideology with its pernicious anti-Semitic and anti-Catholic roots" when he served from 1917 to 1929 as apostolic nuncio in
Germany, the Pope said. The outbreak of war and the occupation of Rome only brought Pope Pius' concern and love for humanity into greater light as he orchestrated major efforts to "defend the persecuted without any distinction according to religion, ethnicity, nationality and political affiliation".
Pope Pius "often acted secretly and silently" because he knew that was the only way "he could avoid the worst and save the greatest possible number ofJews", said Pope Benedict. In spite of veiling his public criticisms of Nazi atrocities. he still made a condemnation with -clear reference to the deportation and extermination perpetrated against the Jews" in his 1942 Christmas radio message to the world, the Pope said.
Pope Pius "consoled refugees and the persecuted" and dried the tears of pain of innumerable war victims. he added.
He said Pius drew strength during the war from the word of God and Christ who is "the only certainty that never wanes".
That Pope Pius took great pains to save and care for countless people during and after the war was confirmed by the -numerous and unanimous testimonies of gratitude extended toward him at the end of the war" and after his death. the Pope said.
Those who paid tribute to Pope Pius' actions included Golda Meir, then foreign mster of Israel., die Pope recalled: he quoted her condolences as saying: "When fearful martyrdom came to our people.. the voice of the pope was raised for its victims.... We mourn a great servant of peace."
Pope Benedict noted the "not always peaceful" debate surrounding Pope Pius' legacy has overshadowed the important and landmark contributions this pope made to the Church and society.
His 1943 encyclical on sacred Scripture. Divino Afflante Spiritu, represented a "pmphetic intuition" that gave the green light to serious scientific research on biblical texts, said the Pope.