Informed sources at the Vatican indicated today that a third volume of data to be compiled from documents and letters left by the late Pope Pius XII, dealing specifically with the pontiff’s reactions to the Hitler program for annihilation of European Jewry, is expected to be published this year.
The second book in the series, disclosing Pope Pius’ correspondence during the war years, was issued yesterday, and showed very few mentions of Jews. The next volume, however, will deal with letters sent by Pius XII to Polish bishops during the World War II era and may refer to Jews, it was said.
In Volume II, issued yesterday, it was noted upon careful examination today that a footnote refers to letters and telegrams of thanks received by Pope Pius from “Jewish centers” for the Holy See’s “salvation work. ” Among the Jewish communities that sent such messages were listed those of Bolivia, Costa Rica, South Africa, Chile and the city of Sagreb, Yugoslavia.
The entire series of papal correspondence in the Hitler era is being published by the Vatican as a response to criticisms against Pope Pius’ inaction on the Jewish problem, contained in “The Deputy, ” the controversial drama by a German playwright, Rolf Hochhuth.
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