Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli) (1876–1958) (1905–1969)
Catholic pontiff. Pacelli was ordained in 1899, and in 1917, appointed titular archbishop of Sardes, serving as a nuncio in Germany in 1920–29. He was created a cardinal in 1929 and appointed Vatican secretary of state in 1930]. Elected pope on March 2, 1939, he followed a neutral policy towards all belligerents in the Second World War, even Germany over the persecution of the Jews. His policy during the Cold War period was strongly anti-communist, rejecting political contacts with communist regimes on principle and ostracizing those who opposed the church politically.
Please send comments or suggestions.