Pope reflects on Pius XII's role in history after biographical film

Apr 12, 2010 / 09:16 am

Following his Saturday matinee viewing of a fictional film about Pius XII, the Holy Father commented that such films can be "useful and stimulating" in remembering the past which might otherwise be forgotten. Calling the late-Pontiff the Pope of charity and love, Benedict XVI underscored the role of Pius XII as the "father of all," especially during the Second World War.

Along with members of the production staff from Luxe Vide productions and Italy's Rai Television, members of the Vatican Secretariat of State and Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Pope Benedict watched the film "Pope Pius XII. Under the Roman Sky" at Castel Gandolfo.

He said that the movie, which dramatizes the Pope's life during World War II in Rome in a two-part series, "presents the fundamental role of Venerable Pius XII in the salvation of Rome and of so many persecuted ..."

Works that offer a look into people and events from the last century, said the Holy Father, "take on a particular value, especially for the new generations." They can be "useful and stimulating and can help to know a period that is not at all distant, but that the pursuant events of recent history and a fragmented culture can make (us) forget."

Pope Benedict spoke of Pius XII as "the Pontiff of our youth," saying that his "rich teaching" indicated the way of Truth, and that, under his direction, the Church was led into the Third Millenium. He emphasized the late-Pope's role "as father of all" in "presiding over the charity in Rome and the world, especially in the difficult time of the Second World Conflict."

The Holy Father described the wartime Pope as "the Primate of charity, of love," and said that love is "the global reason that moves thought and concrete action."

Pope Benedict said he was glad that "Under the Roman Sky" was able to transmit this "unifying principal" to the viewer and invited all to see this, "in light of the authentic witness of that great master of faith, hope and love that was Pope Pius XII."

The Holy Father continues to rest from his Holy Week schedule at Castel Gandolfo, but this morning he received bishops from Brazil, who are in Rome for their "ad Limina Apostolorum" visit.