Holocaust

The Latest

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross.

Remembering St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Jewish convert and martyr

Aug 9, 2025

By CNA Staff

On Aug. 9 the Catholic Church remembers St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, also known as Edith Stein. Read more

(Left to right) Sister Vivien Linkhauer, Sister Gemma Del Duca, and students from Seton Hill University attend the planting of the Anne Frank tree in May 2025.

Holocaust remembrance center founded by Catholic nuns plants Anne Frank tree

May 24, 2025

By Kate Quiñones

The National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education at Seton Hill University held a ceremony to plant the small tree at... Read more

Pope Pius XII.

Historian urges careful examination of record of Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust

Apr 24, 2025

By Martin Barillas

“There has been a shift of late regarding Pius XII,” historian William Doino told CNA. Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address from the window of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Jan. 26, 2025.

Never forget Auschwitz horrors, Pope Francis says ahead of 80th anniversary

Jan 26, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Speaking at the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis marked the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and made urgent appeals for... Read more

Worcester, Massachusetts, is home to Clark University, Assumption University, and Worcester State University.

Secular university’s head of Holocaust studies finds ‘warmer welcome’ at Catholic university

Apr 19, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

“To my surprise as both a scholar and a Jew, I feel a warmer welcome and more commonality of purpose... Read more

Sophie Nélisse portrays Irena Gut Opdyke in the new film "Irena's Vow."

‘Irena’s Vow’: The true story of a Polish Catholic nurse who hid Jews during the Holocaust

Apr 12, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The film, debuting in U.S. theaters across the country April 15-16, depicts the true story of Irena Gut Opdyke, who... Read more

The ancient Portico d'Ottavia in the heart of Rome's Jewish ghetto was the site of the March for Remembrance on Oct. 16, 2023.

Rome remembers 80th anniversary of Nazis’ expulsion of the city’s Jews 

Oct 17, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

This annual event has been held for the past 30 years and is jointly organized by the Catholic community of... Read more

Wiktoria Ulma with six of her children.

Beatification date announced for married couple with seven children martyred by Nazis

Feb 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The entire Ulma family, including one newborn baby, will be beatified in Markowa, Poland. Read more

Religious leaders mark the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau at the death camp, Jan. 27, 2022.

Religious leaders mark Auschwitz liberation anniversary

Jan 28, 2022

By CNA Staff

Polish Bishop Piotr Greger was among those who offered prayers at the commemoration. Read more

Pope Francis meets with Holocaust survivor Edith Bruck at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, Jan. 27, 2022.

Pope Francis meets Auschwitz survivor on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jan 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Vatican said they ‘both stressed the inestimable value of transmitting the memory of the past to the youngest.’ Read more

A monument at the Jewish cemetery in Izbica, Poland.

Father Gregor Pawlowski, Jewish Holocaust survivor and Catholic priest, laid to rest in Poland

Nov 14, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Father Gregor Pawlowski died in Israel Oct. 21 at the age of 90, but he wanted his body to be... Read more

Cardinal Eugene Tisserant, who was dean of the College of Cardinals from 1951 to 1972, and has been named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.

Yad Vashem: Vatican librarian Cardinal Tisserant made heroic efforts to save Jews

Oct 23, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Cardinal Eugene Tisserant was a librarian who knew more than 10 languages, advised multiple popes, and held key Vatican positions. Read more

The Franciscan friar Fr. Placido Cortese (1907-1944).

Pope Francis advances sainthood cause of Italian Catholic priest who saved Jews in WWII

Aug 30, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Fr. Placido Cortese has been dubbed “the Italian Fr. Kolbe.” Read more

Pope Pius XII / public domain

Expert’s latest investigation dispels myths about Pius XII and Rome's Jews

Aug 29, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Pius XII was not silent in front of the Shoah nor inactive. He was, instead, very much committed to... Read more

The Umschlagplatz Monument in Warsaw, Poland, where more than 300,000 Jews were transported from the Warsaw Ghetto to Nazi death camps.

Polish Catholic bishop: Warsaw Ghetto Uprising anniversary is ‘an appeal to love one’s neighbor’

Apr 19, 2021

The uprising -- the largest single Jewish revolt of World War II -- was launched 78 years ago Read more

Fr. Marceli Godlewski. Credit: Franciscan Sisters of the Family of Mary, Warsaw.

How a Catholic pastor saved hundreds of his Jewish neighbors in the Warsaw Ghetto

Jan 27, 2021

Before the war, Fr. Marceli Godlewski seemed an unlikely candidate to be honored as “Righteous Among the Nations.” But he... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Jan. 27, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis on Holocaust Remembrance Day: ‘These things can happen again’

Jan 27, 2021

Pope Francis said on Wednesday that commemorating the Holocaust means to be aware that “these things can happen again.”   Read more

Pope Pius XII. Public domain.

Scholars dispute charge of Pius XII Holocaust cover-up

May 1, 2020

By JD Flynn

Scholars say charges made last month that Pope Pius XII covered-up the Vatican’s knowledge of the Holocaust are based on... Read more

Documents from the Pontificate of Pius XII released by the Vatican Apostolic Archive.

Scholar hopes Vatican archives will give 'fuller, transparent' picture of Pius XII

Mar 15, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

A researcher from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum told CNA that she hopes the recent opening of the Pius... Read more

Pope Francis prays at Auschwitz July 29, 2016.

'Never again': Pope Francis calls for prayer on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Jan 27, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has asked for people to spend a moment in prayer and recollection on Monday for International Holocaust Remembrance... Read more