Controversial.
Vatican was in a very tough position during the war and I can understand his reluctance to speak out openly. I'm not sure if it would make any difference (like Hitler and the Nazis cared). It's possible they would even proceed with seizing the Vatican and establishing a puppet papacy. Pius wasn't a Nazi sympatizer, he probably did not fully understand what Nazism really was. Yet, lots of people did not fully comprehend too.
We really don't know what would happen. Pius' silence leaves some bad taste, but I can't judge him without being in his shoes. Certainly, he deserved credit for saving thousands thanks to discreet actions. However, Vatican aiding war criminals escaping justice after the war leaves even more bad taste.
Tragic figure.
I would figure the Vatican was so chaotic after the war that Odessa was out of their crasps. Am I wrong on that, or was the Church organized to some degree during the post war days?
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