Today, I was delighted to hear from Sister Margherita Marchione, an author I have known of and admired for 30 years, who on request sent me information on her new book: 
"SHEPARD OF SOULS: A PICTORIAL LIFE OF POPE PIOUS XII", that provides historic evidence that testifies to Pius XII’s long pontificate of courage and integrity, and personal efforts to prevent the war and to shelter countless victims of the Nazis during World War II.

Curiously, waiting until more than 15 years after the War, and only after the Pontiff's had died, did there begin a campaign of vilification against Pius XII in the 1960's. Even today, his detractors launch baseless, hostile attacks, in the media, more suitable to "tabloid" magazines, to attempt to replace the historical record. 

"YOURS IS A PRECIOUS WITNESS": MEMOIRS OF JEWS AND CATHOLICS IN WARTIME ITALY", another book by Sr. Marchione has been one of my favorites.(See more books at end).

Pope Pius XII

Margherita Marchione’s research in defense of Pius XII culminates with Shepherd of Souls: A Pictorial Life of Pope Pius XII. This coffee-table publication contains over 250 historic photographs and documents portraying his life and works. It not only captures his role as spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and celebrates his accomplishments, but eloquently describes the salient periods of a "Shepherd of Souls" by means of humorous anecdotes, historical facts, human interest stories, and revelations on the Holocaust.

Documentary evidence in Shepherd of Souls: A Pictorial Life of Pope Pius XII proves that Eugenio Pacelli was a committed defender and protector of the victims of war and hatred which drenched Europe in blood during World War II. He ordered a formal and explicit condemnation of the mass murder going on in Germany, which was issued by the Congregation of the Holy Office and published in L’Osservatore Romano, December 6, 1940.

People in every walk of life were inspired by Pius XII. Men, women and children of every persuasion visited him in the Vatican. His enthusiastic bright eyes, combined with brisk step and swift movements were contagious. His personal magnetism was a blend of casualness and dignity, warmth and affection, compassion and humor. 

When Pius XII died in 1958, prayers re-echoed throughout the world. Tears were shed by millions of faithful. The Jewish communities of Europe expressed sorrow and gratitude, praising him for his solicitude during the Holocaust. Western nations paid tribute to his efforts on behalf of the oppressed. Among those from around the world mourning his loss was Richard Cardinal Cushing. He wrote: "Theologian, canonist, scholar, linguist, statesman, diplomat (all of these Pius XII was. For all of them he has been hailed and praised. But more than anything else he was a pastor, a good shepherd of souls, selflessly dedicated to the honest interests of the Church and to the greater glory of God."

In the 1960s, there began a campaign of vilification against Pius XII. Today, his detractors continue to claim that he lacked courage, human compassion and a sense of moral rectitude. Hostile attacks by the media replace the historical record. 

In her books on Pope Pius XII, Margherita Marchione provides historic evidence that testifies to Pius XII’s long pontificate of courage and integrity, and personal efforts to prevent the war and to shelter countless victims of the Nazis during World War II. 

N.B. Shepherd of Souls: A Pictorial Life of Pope Pius XII will be distributed by Inside the Vatican, New Hope, KY 40052 [Tel: 1-800-789-9494; FAX: 270-325-3091; Email: editor@insidethevatican.com]

Pope Pius XII
Other Books by Margherita Marchione

Yours is a Precious Witness: Memoirs of Jews and Catholics in Wartime Italy, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, NJ, 1997, 262pp.

Pio XII e gli ebrei, Editoriale Pantheon, Rome, 1999, 288pp. Reprinted by Edizioni Piemme, Casale Monferrato (AL), 2002.

Pope Pius XII: Architect for Peace, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, NJ, 2000, 350pp.

Pio XII: Architetto di pace, Editoriale Pantheon, Rome, 2000, 413pp. Reprinted by Edizioni Piemme, Casale Monferrato (AL), 2002.

The Fighting Nun: My Story (Chapter Eleven: Defending Pius XII), Cornwall Press, London/Cranbury, NJ, 2000, 240pp.

Una monaca battagliera: la mia storia, Ancora Editrice, Milan, 2003, 200pp. 

Consensus and Controversy: Defending Pius XII, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, NJ, 2002, 389pp. 

Consenso e dissenso: difesa di Pio XII, Sperling & Kupfer, (Gruppo Mondadori), Milan, 2002, 295pp.

Pio XII attraverso le immagini, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Rome, 2002, 216pp.

Shepherd of Souls: A Pictorial Life of Pope Pius XII, Inside the Vatican, Rome, 2002,  216pp.