Pope Pius XII

Eugenio Pacelli guided the Church through the Second World War and its aftermath. Under his rule convents and church buildings in Rome sheltered many Jews during the German occupation, though his public reticence has been much debated. In 1950 he defined the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. His encyclicals prepared many of the themes of the Second Vatican Council. He has been declared Venerable.

Pontificate

2 March 1939 – 9 October 1958 (19 years, 7 months)

Birth name

Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli

Born

2 March 1876, Rome

Died

9 October 1958, Castel Gandolfo

Preceded by

Pope Pius XI

Succeeded by

Pope John XXIII

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