Michael Phayer, a recognized authority on the Catholic Church and the Holocaust, is Emeritus Professor of History at Marquette University and the Ida E. King Distinguished Visiting Scholar of Holocaust Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. He is author of The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930-1965 (IUP, 2000). He lives in Columbia, Maryland.

• ContentsPrefaceIntroduction1. Eugenio Pacelli: 1900 to 19422. The Genocides of Polish Catholics and Polish Jews3. Pius XII's 1942 Christmas Message: Genocide Decried4. 1943: Pius XII Reverses Course5. Papal Capitalism during World War II6. The First Cold War Warrior7. The Origin of the Vatican Ratlines8. Bishop Hudal's Ratline9. Looted Gold and the Vatican10. Ante Pavelic: War Criminal, Murderer, and Defender of the Faith11. The Biggest Ratline12. An Obsession with CommunismNotesBibliographyIndex

"Phayer's text reads like a riveting suspense novel—filled with intrigue, conspiracy, and money laundering. . . . The so-called Pius Wars will not end with this book, but Phayer makes a welcome addition to the debate. . . . Recommended."—Choice"This is an impressive study, which uses the new documentation in a judicious manner to develop credible reinterpretations of papal policy during the war and after. . . . The book makes a particularly valuable and original contribution . . . March 2009"—The International History Review"The new material that Phayer has brought to light from the National Archives offers a useful contribution to our understanding of the controversial relationship between the Vatican and the perpetrators of the Holocaust, expecially in the postwar period. April 2009"—American Historical Review"Michael Phayer has made excellent use of newly released archival material in his study of Pope Pius XII. May 2009"—German Studies Review"Unlike several passionate recent studies of Pius XII . . . Phayer makes every effort at scholarly restraint and caution. But, in the end, his careful effort produces powerful evidence that will likely add significantly to the controversy surrounding the pope . . . Certainly anyone interested in this fascinating, important, and disturbing topic must read this book.Volume 43, 2010"—Central European History"Diligently researched and documented, judicious in its conclusions . . . compassionate and humane in its outlook."—Richard L. Rubenstein, author of After Auschwitz: History, Theology, and Contemporary Judaism

Michael Phayer, a recognized authority on the Catholic Church and the Holocaust, is Emeritus Professor of History at Marquette University and the Ida E. King Distinguished Visiting Scholar of Holocaust Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. He is author of The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930-1965 (IUP, 2000). He lives in Columbia, Maryland.

• ContentsPrefaceIntroduction1. Eugenio Pacelli: 1900 to 19422. The Genocides of Polish Catholics and Polish Jews3. Pius XII's 1942 Christmas Message: Genocide Decried4. 1943: Pius XII Reverses Course5. Papal Capitalism during World War II6. The First Cold War Warrior7. The Origin of the Vatican Ratlines8. Bishop Hudal's Ratline9. Looted Gold and the Vatican10. Ante Pavelic: War Criminal, Murderer, and Defender of the Faith11. The Biggest Ratline12. An Obsession with CommunismNotesBibliographyIndex

"Phayer's text reads like a riveting suspense novel—filled with intrigue, conspiracy, and money laundering. . . . The so-called Pius Wars will not end with this book, but Phayer makes a welcome addition to the debate. . . . Recommended."—Choice"This is an impressive study, which uses the new documentation in a judicious manner to develop credible reinterpretations of papal policy during the war and after. . . . The book makes a particularly valuable and original contribution . . . March 2009"—The International History Review"The new material that Phayer has brought to light from the National Archives offers a useful contribution to our understanding of the controversial relationship between the Vatican and the perpetrators of the Holocaust, expecially in the postwar period. April 2009"—American Historical Review"Michael Phayer has made excellent use of newly released archival material in his study of Pope Pius XII. May 2009"—German Studies Review"Unlike several passionate recent studies of Pius XII . . . Phayer makes every effort at scholarly restraint and caution. But, in the end, his careful effort produces powerful evidence that will likely add significantly to the controversy surrounding the pope . . . Certainly anyone interested in this fascinating, important, and disturbing topic must read this book.Volume 43, 2010"—Central European History"Diligently researched and documented, judicious in its conclusions . . . compassionate and humane in its outlook."—Richard L. Rubenstein, author of After Auschwitz: History, Theology, and Contemporary Judaism

Michael Phayer, a recognized authority on the Catholic Church and the Holocaust, is Emeritus Professor of History at Marquette University and the Ida E. King Distinguished Visiting Scholar of Holocaust Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. He is author of The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930-1965 (IUP, 2000). He lives in Columbia, Maryland.

• ContentsPrefaceIntroduction1. Eugenio Pacelli: 1900 to 19422. The Genocides of Polish Catholics and Polish Jews3. Pius XII's 1942 Christmas Message: Genocide Decried4. 1943: Pius XII Reverses Course5. Papal Capitalism during World War II6. The First Cold War Warrior7. The Origin of the Vatican Ratlines8. Bishop Hudal's Ratline9. Looted Gold and the Vatican10. Ante Pavelic: War Criminal, Murderer, and Defender of the Faith11. The Biggest Ratline12. An Obsession with CommunismNotesBibliographyIndex

"Phayer's text reads like a riveting suspense novel—filled with intrigue, conspiracy, and money laundering. . . . The so-called Pius Wars will not end with this book, but Phayer makes a welcome addition to the debate. . . . Recommended."—Choice"This is an impressive study, which uses the new documentation in a judicious manner to develop credible reinterpretations of papal policy during the war and after. . . . The book makes a particularly valuable and original contribution . . . March 2009"—The International History Review"The new material that Phayer has brought to light from the National Archives offers a useful contribution to our understanding of the controversial relationship between the Vatican and the perpetrators of the Holocaust, expecially in the postwar period. April 2009"—American Historical Review"Michael Phayer has made excellent use of newly released archival material in his study of Pope Pius XII. May 2009"—German Studies Review"Unlike several passionate recent studies of Pius XII . . . Phayer makes every effort at scholarly restraint and caution. But, in the end, his careful effort produces powerful evidence that will likely add significantly to the controversy surrounding the pope . . . Certainly anyone interested in this fascinating, important, and disturbing topic must read this book.Volume 43, 2010"—Central European History"Diligently researched and documented, judicious in its conclusions . . . compassionate and humane in its outlook."—Richard L. Rubenstein, author of After Auschwitz: History, Theology, and Contemporary Judaism