Born May 31st 1857

Died February 10th, 1939

High of his Life: Pope Pius XI was Pope and the first sovereign of Vatican City, once it became an independent state five days after his Papacy began. So, yeah, he was kind of a big deal. He also spoke out against anti-semitic and racist laws in Italy that started in 1938.

Low of his Life: Despite speaking out against anti-semitism in Italy, Pius was quiet about it in Nazi Germany. Most notably, when asked by Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini to excommunicate Adolf Hitler, as a means of “rending him less powerful in Catholic Austria and reduce the danger to Italy and wider Europe,” Pius refused. This directly led to more anti-semitic legislature in Italian law.

British journalist and author John Cornwell wrote a book entitled Hitler’s Pope, which isn’t the most endearing nickname for the official voice as supreme pastor of the universal church.

Who See’s Him As A Hero: Anyone who thinks Italians are more important than Germans, Individuals who live double-lives, former Hitler Youth member Pope Benedict XVI

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