Pius XII "wherever possible spared no effort in intervening in their favour either directly or through instructions given to other individuals or to institutions of the Catholic Church." This is what Pope Benedict said today to the participants attending the Symposium organised by “Pave the Way Foundation" an association founded by the American Jew Gary Krupp whose aim is to promote peace, tolerance and dialogue between religions on the 50th anniversary of Pope Pacelli’s death. Then Pope Benedict drew attention to "his many interventions, made secretly and silently, precisely because, given the concrete situation of that difficult historical moment, only in this way was it possible to avoid the worst and save the greatest number of Jews". This "courageous and paternal dedication" was recognized and appreciated during and after the Second World War "by Jewish communities and individuals who showed their gratitude for what the Pope had done for them," said Pope Benedict referring to the meeting Pius XII had had on 29th November 1945 with 80 delegates of the German concentration camps, who "during a special Audience granted to them at the Vatican, wished to thank him personally for his generosity to them during the terrible period of Nazi-fascist persecution."” “
