Pope Benedict recalls Pius XII’s teachings and impact on the Church

Vatican City, Nov 10, 2008 / 09:49 am

On Saturday, Pope Benedict met with participants in a congress titled, “The Heritage of Pius XII's Magisterium and Vatican Council II.”  During the event, the Pontiff called to mind Pius XII’s teachings, his relationship with Christ, and his influence on the Church.

The conference was held from November 6-8 and organized by the Pontifical Gregorian and Lateran Universities, and came to a close with Pope Benedict’s remarks on the impact Pius XII had on the Church through his writings and teachings. 

Pope Benedict XVI explained that along with his 40 encyclicals, the late Pontiff spoke of the “responsibility of the laity within the Church” and “the great importance of the modern communications media,” especially “journalists' duty to provide factual information respectful of moral norms."

Pius XII also warned against the progress of science impacting morality, the Holy Father pointed out.  Though he was a great admirer of technology, he never failed to “caution against the risks that research could bring if inattentive to moral values," and "warned of the need to prevent at all costs the possibility of brilliant scientific advances being used to build deadly arms which could cause immense catastrophes and even the complete destruction of mankind."

Benedict XVI continued to address the congress by focusing on Pius XII’s teachings on Mary.  The words of Pius XII reached their culmination “in the proclamation of the dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, by which the Holy Father intended to highlight the eschatological dimension of our lives, and to exalt the dignity of women."

Turning to focus on Pius XII’s personality and spirituality, Benedict XVI noted that the late Pope was a realist who desired “to give all of himself to God, holding nothing back and unconcerned for his own delicate health.” “Everything in him arose from love for his Lord Jesus Christ, and love for the Church and humanity. He was, in fact, a priest in constant and intimate union with God,” Benedict said.

“In the person of the Supreme Pontiff Pius XII, the Lord gave His Church an exceptional gift for which we must all be grateful,” the Holy Father concluded.