Catholicism During WWII

World War II started in Europe on September 1939, when Germany, under Chancellor Adolf Hitler, invaded Poland. Britain and France responded by declaring war on Germany. Several Catholic countries fell under Nazi domination during this period, and ordinary Catholics fought on both sides of the conflict.

Pius XII became Pope on the day before the war and influenced world leaders to prevent the outbreak of conflict. He affirmed the policy of Vatican Neutrality, but maintained links to the German Resistance. He was also the first world leader to publicly denounce Nazi Crimes against Jews.

During the Second World War the Catholic Church rescued many thousands of Jews by issuing false documents, lobbying Axis officials, hiding them in monasteries, convents, schools and elsewhere; including the Vatican and Castel Gandolfo.

Some of the most influential people in the German Resistance.