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Revision as of 00:30, 31 May 2005 by Fiamekeeper (talk | contribs) (~~~~)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The expression Hitler'sPope has been in use for many decades , certainly in English . The term was adopted as a title by the Catholic writer John Cornwell.
Hitler's Pope generally refers to Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli who became Pope Pius XII , however the previous Pope Pius XI dealt with Adolf Hitler through various intermediaries , and the separation of actions between these two Pope's is difficult . Cardinal Pacelli was in the position of a specialist advisor for several decades before ascending the Throne of St Peter .
The linking of the two names Pope and Hitler succinctly expressed popular conception that the Holy See colluded with the Fuhrer of the Third Reich.
John Cornwell
John Cornwell writes of the deep motivations behing Pacelli's temporisation with Fascism. Specifying Pacelli as outstandingly representative of the recent (since 1870) drive within the Catholic Church towards the autocratic absolute leadership principle , that of dictatorial and centralised papal power . In contrast to collegiality of councils or bishops thereto , this centralisation progressed during the 20th century , stimulated by the threatening factors of marxism, materialism , sexual liberation and rational scepticism .