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Los judíos del Papa
La historia no ha sido amable con Pío XII. Solo baste decir que ha sido llamado a menudo, y por muchos, "el papa de Hitler", y se le acusa haber mantenido silencio durante el Holocausto, y de no haber defendido con mayor vehemencia a los sacerdotes que eran perseguidos y asesinados en Alemania. Gordon Thomas rebate esta versión de la historia y, gracias a una investigación que incluye material hasta hoy desconocido, saca a la luz una red subterránea de sacerdotes, monjas y ciudadanos católicos que arriesgaron sus vidas para proteger y rescatar a miles de judíos. Por último, responde a la gran pregunta política y moral: ¿por qué el Papa Pío XII se negó a condenar el genocidio de los judíos en Europa?
354 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2012
24 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
Gordon Thomas
119 books197 followersGordon Thomas (born 1933) is a Welsh author who has written more than fifty books.
Thomas was born in Wales, in a cemetery keeper's cottage where his grandmother lived. He had his first story published at nine years old in a Boy's Own Paper competition. With his father in the RAF, he traveled widely and was educated at the Cairo High School, the Maritz Brothers (in Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and, lastly, at Bedford Modern School. His first book, completed at the age of seventeen, is the story of a British spy in Russia during World War II, titled Descent Into Danger. He refused the offer of a job at a university in order to accompany a traveling fair for a year: he used those experiences for his novel, Bed of Nails. Since then his books have been published worldwide. He has been a foreign correspondent beginning with the Suez Crisis and ending with the first Gulf War. He was a BBC writer/producer for three flagship BBC programmes: Man Alive, Tomorrow's World and Horizon.
He is a regular contributor to Facta, the respected monthly Japanese news magazine, and he lectures widely on the secret world of intelligence. He also provides expert analysis on intelligence for US and European television and radio programs.His book Gideon's Spies: Mossad's Secret Warriors became a major documentary for Channel Four that he wrote and narrated: The Spy Machine. It followed three years of research during which he was given unprecedented access to Mossad’s main personnel. The documentary was co-produced by Open Media and Israfilm.
Gideon's Spies: Mossad's Secret Warriors has so far been published in 16 languages. A source for this book was Ari Ben-Menashe, a former Israeli intelligence agent, and legendary Israeli spy Rafi Eitan. According to Charles Foster in Contemporary Review: "Writers who know their place are few and far between: fortunately Mr Thomas is one of them. By keeping to his place as a tremendous storyteller without a preacher's pretensions, he has put his book amongst the important chronicles of the state of Israel."
Thomas was born in Wales, in a cemetery keeper's cottage where his grandmother lived. He had his first story published at nine years old in a Boy's Own Paper competition. With his father in the RAF, he traveled widely and was educated at the Cairo High School, the Maritz Brothers (in Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and, lastly, at Bedford Modern School. His first book, completed at the age of seventeen, is the story of a British spy in Russia during World War II, titled Descent Into Danger. He refused the offer of a job at a university in order to accompany a traveling fair for a year: he used those experiences for his novel, Bed of Nails. Since then his books have been published worldwide. He has been a foreign correspondent beginning with the Suez Crisis and ending with the first Gulf War. He was a BBC writer/producer for three flagship BBC programmes: Man Alive, Tomorrow's World and Horizon.
He is a regular contributor to Facta, the respected monthly Japanese news magazine, and he lectures widely on the secret world of intelligence. He also provides expert analysis on intelligence for US and European television and radio programs.His book Gideon's Spies: Mossad's Secret Warriors became a major documentary for Channel Four that he wrote and narrated: The Spy Machine. It followed three years of research during which he was given unprecedented access to Mossad’s main personnel. The documentary was co-produced by Open Media and Israfilm.
Gideon's Spies: Mossad's Secret Warriors has so far been published in 16 languages. A source for this book was Ari Ben-Menashe, a former Israeli intelligence agent, and legendary Israeli spy Rafi Eitan. According to Charles Foster in Contemporary Review: "Writers who know their place are few and far between: fortunately Mr Thomas is one of them. By keeping to his place as a tremendous storyteller without a preacher's pretensions, he has put his book amongst the important chronicles of the state of Israel."
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 29, 2025
A total refutation of slander in the late 20th c which called Pius XII “Hitler’s Pope.” Remarkably, even Joseph Goebbels, head of Nazi propaganda, regularly denounced Pope Pius XII as a “Jew lover.” Hitler also constructed a plot to kidnap the pope in 1943.
While Pius remained more silent than some Americans from the safety of the other side of the planet, this book shows why Pius remained reserved: a nonpublic campaign to channel money, medicine, and travel visas was more effective in saving Jewish lives. It is very easy for modern readers to criticize Nazis from the couch, but not so easy to save lives in the midst of occupation.
The story includes Pius’s doctor friend making up a fake disease called “K Syndrome” to prevent gullible Nazis from invading Jewish-occupied hospitals in Rome, thousands of Jews hiding in the Vatican itself, Vatican cryptologists sending messages to allies, the Vatican sending its gold supply to Fort Knox USA to prevent Nazi theft, Pius organizing baptismal certificates to be sent to prevent arrests of Jews, etc.
In the end, according to Israeli diplomat Pinchas Lapide, the Vatican’s secret program was responsible for the salvation of approximately 860,000 Jewish lives in Europe.
While Pius remained more silent than some Americans from the safety of the other side of the planet, this book shows why Pius remained reserved: a nonpublic campaign to channel money, medicine, and travel visas was more effective in saving Jewish lives. It is very easy for modern readers to criticize Nazis from the couch, but not so easy to save lives in the midst of occupation.
The story includes Pius’s doctor friend making up a fake disease called “K Syndrome” to prevent gullible Nazis from invading Jewish-occupied hospitals in Rome, thousands of Jews hiding in the Vatican itself, Vatican cryptologists sending messages to allies, the Vatican sending its gold supply to Fort Knox USA to prevent Nazi theft, Pius organizing baptismal certificates to be sent to prevent arrests of Jews, etc.
In the end, according to Israeli diplomat Pinchas Lapide, the Vatican’s secret program was responsible for the salvation of approximately 860,000 Jewish lives in Europe.
October 9, 2012
“The Pope’s Jews” by Gordon Thomas, published by Thomas Dunne Books.
Category – History/Christianity
Since the death of Pope Pius XII there have been many books written concerning his relationship with the Jewish community and the Nazis. This book is an answer to John Cornwell’s book, “Hitler’s Pope”.
In “The Pope’s Jews”, Thomas puts to rest the controversy surrounding Pope Pius XII. The book is well researched and uses impeccable resources. Thomas explains away the Pope’s reasons for not voicing his opposition to the Nazi Party more vociferously, one of the main objections to his papacy.
Thomas does go on to tell of the thousands of Jews that were saved due to his efforts. The large majority of saved Roman Jews were housed in Catholic facilities, churches, hospitals, seminaries, and convents. Thousands of Jews fleeing occupied German territory were given forged documents by the Vatican. These included Baptismal Certificates, visas, and papers showing that they were employed by the Vatican. An elaborate scheme was set up in a hospital faking quarantines and phony outbreaks of tuberculosis. This proved an effective means of hiding Jews because the Nazis would have nothing to do with investigating hospital wards with communicable diseases.
One must remember this was all done while the Vatican tried to convey to the Nazis that they remained neutral. This work could not have been done had the Vatican not maintained that neutrality.
An excellent read for the historian, Catholics, and Jews, and those interested in seeing the other side of the story.
Category – History/Christianity
Since the death of Pope Pius XII there have been many books written concerning his relationship with the Jewish community and the Nazis. This book is an answer to John Cornwell’s book, “Hitler’s Pope”.
In “The Pope’s Jews”, Thomas puts to rest the controversy surrounding Pope Pius XII. The book is well researched and uses impeccable resources. Thomas explains away the Pope’s reasons for not voicing his opposition to the Nazi Party more vociferously, one of the main objections to his papacy.
Thomas does go on to tell of the thousands of Jews that were saved due to his efforts. The large majority of saved Roman Jews were housed in Catholic facilities, churches, hospitals, seminaries, and convents. Thousands of Jews fleeing occupied German territory were given forged documents by the Vatican. These included Baptismal Certificates, visas, and papers showing that they were employed by the Vatican. An elaborate scheme was set up in a hospital faking quarantines and phony outbreaks of tuberculosis. This proved an effective means of hiding Jews because the Nazis would have nothing to do with investigating hospital wards with communicable diseases.
One must remember this was all done while the Vatican tried to convey to the Nazis that they remained neutral. This work could not have been done had the Vatican not maintained that neutrality.
An excellent read for the historian, Catholics, and Jews, and those interested in seeing the other side of the story.
August 5, 2017
I read less and less about the Holocaust these days, I just can't - it's seems to be that way about anything heartbreaking since I became a mom. It's impossible to not imagine it being your family, your child.
That being said, this was a complete 180 of anything I thought I knew of Pius XII. Granted, all I really knew if him was that he was 'Hitler's Pope' - yet that always seems strange to be, as Catholics were among the many groups rounded up by this murderous regime and sent to their deaths. Yet I never really questioned the moniker because it's been the loudest and really, only, viewpoint offered of him in my lifetime. This book will offer something quite different, and works to bring to light the plans and networks used by the Vatican to save as many Jews as possible.
Could he have done more? Of course. Many people could have and should have done more. But here we finally have an account of what was actually done - far more than 'nothing', as previously proclaimed.
As for the text itself, it's a bit slow in some places, and the sheer number of names can be overwhelming. A list of important players is offered at the beginning, but even that is useless at times if you go to look someone up and can't remember what their affiliation is, so you're still forced the read through every band until you find who you're looking for.
Certainly recommended for those interested in the Holocaust. While I can't say I'm 100% on board with this yet, and I may have to do further reading myself, it certainly portrays Pius XII far differently than what we've been taught.
That being said, this was a complete 180 of anything I thought I knew of Pius XII. Granted, all I really knew if him was that he was 'Hitler's Pope' - yet that always seems strange to be, as Catholics were among the many groups rounded up by this murderous regime and sent to their deaths. Yet I never really questioned the moniker because it's been the loudest and really, only, viewpoint offered of him in my lifetime. This book will offer something quite different, and works to bring to light the plans and networks used by the Vatican to save as many Jews as possible.
Could he have done more? Of course. Many people could have and should have done more. But here we finally have an account of what was actually done - far more than 'nothing', as previously proclaimed.
As for the text itself, it's a bit slow in some places, and the sheer number of names can be overwhelming. A list of important players is offered at the beginning, but even that is useless at times if you go to look someone up and can't remember what their affiliation is, so you're still forced the read through every band until you find who you're looking for.
Certainly recommended for those interested in the Holocaust. While I can't say I'm 100% on board with this yet, and I may have to do further reading myself, it certainly portrays Pius XII far differently than what we've been taught.
March 16, 2013
Um excelente livro, bem fundamentado na investigação e nos factos. Já tinha ouvido a versão do "Papa do Hitler", na qual acusavam a Pio XII de ter colaborado e apoiado os actos dos Nazis. Agora, depois de ler este livro, estou convencida de que Pio XII foi vitima de propaganda política de países maioritariamente não católicos. A protecção que o Papa outorgou aos Judeus, e não estou a falar só da protecção da sua vida física, mas também espiritual (foi permitido aos judeus continuar com as suas tradições e celebrar os seus ritos judaicos enquanto estavam escondidos no Vaticano) demonstra a sua humanidade e o seu respeito pelas crenças dos outros. Pode ter sido mais contundente nos seus ataques aos alemães? Talvez, mas é compreensível que fosse cuidadoso com as suas palavras, sendo que sua capacidade de ajudar aos judeus dependia de a sua capacidade de manter-se neutral ante os Nazis. Se tivesse atacado com mais forca a Hitler, teria este respeitados os conventos onde os judeus se escondiam aos milhares? Ou teria conseguido acelerar a caída de Hitler? Foi a sua eleição. foi a melhor? Só Deus pode saber.
January 23, 2013
Really informative book on the behaviour of Pope Pius XII towards the Jews during the Second World War, and his actions on their behalf. Like so many other scholars with integrity before him, this author shows that in fact Pope Pius XII helped as much as he could the Jews given the circumstances he lived through. The network of safe houses he established in churches, convents, and Vatican City properties, saved many Jews. Countless others were saved through the fake baptismal certificates he had issued so that the Jews might travel safely out of Europe. Yet many others were saved thanks to the visas he secured through his nuncios in many countries outside of Europe guarantying migration to "European Catholics". In all, the author estimates that at least 700,000 Jews were saved by the innervation of Pope Pius XII.
March 26, 2013
I really enjoyed this open and honest view of what happened at that time and I found it easy to read. For those of fixed opinions it does give a lot credit to the surces of information so you may do further research if so inclined. It is not a religious book it is a history lesson and does go down the path of dispelling some of the incorrect rumours of the Vatican's role and that of Pope Pius XII during WWII. There are three groups in this The Vatican, The Jewish ghetto in Rome and the Fascists and it is a jounrney through time in Rome involving the lives of the individuals. I would recommend this book and have done so. I would however in hindsight read more about italy under their dictator, the racial laws and Lateran Treaty.
March 9, 2013
An amazing story of how much this reviled Pope did to save Jews during WWII. Includes too many side stories and plots to maintain cohesion, but it's a relatively original take on what most have assumed is a dark point for the papacy. *Also includes cool descriptions of Vatican code breakers, spies, and subterfuge, which makes it worth reading just for that.
April 19, 2015
This is a well researched book. I enjoyed parts of it, but other parts seemed so long and drawn out. The author included information that wasn't relevant to the subject (did we rally need to know that D'Arcy Osbourne's dog almost died, but had a lifesaving surgery?) None the less I was glad to receive the information, even if it was, on occasion, tedious to read.
January 13, 2013
A good read. Mr. Thomas makes it almost a page turner. I am glad he added a list of the people in the front as it was difficult to remember who was who after a while. That was the only draw back but since really life has a cast of millions I think it was necessary.
I recommend it.
I recommend it.
February 20, 2013
Well written, fascinating account of Pope Pius XII during World War II. Carefully reconstructed from diarists of the time and Vatican and other state documents, the book details the actions that Pius took and ordered taken to save the Jews, both those in Europe, and more specifically those in Rome.
March 27, 2013
Using both recently-released documents, personal interviews, and documentation that's been available all along, Thomas deftly counters the attacks on Venerable Pope Pius XII that began with the 1963 play "The Deputy," and which continue unabated, despite all evidence, to this day.
January 6, 2016
A good effort to rehibilitate the image of Pius XII that is a bit disorganized in its narrative structure.
A stronger emphasis on facts and figures as opposed to this being written like a novel would have helped it deliver it's message more effectively.
A stronger emphasis on facts and figures as opposed to this being written like a novel would have helped it deliver it's message more effectively.
April 1, 2013
I enjoyed reading this fascinating work of history. I'm liable to seek out more books by this author.
April 21, 2013
Well-researched, informative and dramatic. Could have used a little editing. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/theancho...
April 24, 2014
O livro não é lá muito bem escrito, e às vezes soa ambíguo, mas faz justiça a Pio XII, um dos papas mais caluniados da história.
April 18, 2016
This book gave me a new appreciation for Catholics during World War II. A huge number of Jews from across Europe were saved due to the actions of the Vatican.
Read
August 29, 2017Deserves to be alongside Rychlak.
March 18, 2018
A very interesting book with great human interest detail.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews