First son of a secular lawyer with high responsibilities of the Holy See began his apostolic labors in the church of Santa Maria Vallicella, part of a youth group.
On April 2, 1899 ordained priest, going to perform functions in the Secretary of State Monsignor Gasparri. There, it can be said, the future Pope learned the school of Pope Pius X, whom he canonized a half century later.
The May 13, 1917, in the middle of World War I, he was appointed nuncio in Bavaria, where he will work with the peace and help the victims of the conflict as the main objective.Three years later occupies the Nunciature Berlin, a task which he performed until 1929, when after being invested cardinal secretary of state is called the Holy See
The March 2, 1939, Pacelli was elected Pope with the name of Pius XII, in full preparation of a new world conflagration. Avoid it at all costs was his first concern. In May sends the governments of Britain, France, Poland, Germany and Italy to address a proposal by a joint meeting, the problems inherent in the compromised political stability. On 24 July the same year he directed a radio call for peace in the world.
You could say that Pius XII was a major player in those days so full of tragedy, because he sought with all his might, to avoid war.
On Christmas Eve of 1942 condemned the Jewish persecution in his famous speech of Christmas. Also, in 1943 gave a major speech to the cardinals, in which it reaffirmed its condemnation of German politics.
Its official silences during the early years of the war were recognized by many historians as useful for saving countless lives. Pius XII organized assistance of the Holy See in favor of the persecuted.
He died in Rome on 9 October 1958.
The english version of this article will be available soon. In the meanwhile, the text above was the result of a Google translation from portuguese version to english.
