During the darkest years of World War II, Nazi Germany was carrying out the Holocaust across Europe. And one question has followed the Vatican ever since: Why didn't Pope Pius XII openly condemn Hitler and the Nazi regime by name? Was the Vatican trying to protect Catholics and Jews behind enemy lines? Was the Pope afraid that a direct confrontation would make Nazi persecution worse? Or did the Vatican simply fail to speak loudly enough when millions of lives were at stake? In this episode of Rewinding History, we dig into one of the most controversial chapters of the Second World War, examining Pope Pius XII, the Vatican's diplomacy, Nazi persecution, the Holocaust, and the evidence historians continue to debate. Silence can mean many things. But during a genocide, even silence can become part of history.

Why Didn’t the Pope Condemn Hitler? The Vatican’s Darkest Controversy

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