Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Pontifical Universities of the Gregoriana and Lateranense will host a Congress on the Magisterium of Pope Pius XII, , November 6-8, 2008, and a photographic display entitled, “Pius XII: the man and the pontificate,” (in the “Braccio de Carlomagno” at the Vatican on October 21, 2008 to January 6, 2009), in honor of the 50th anniversary of his death.
The Rector of the Lateran University, Bishop Rino Fisichella, mentioned that “Various different historical situations of great significance came together in the life of Pius XII: the genocide of the Jews, the communist occupation of various Christian nations, the Cold War, new advances of science, and the innovations of certain schools of theology. Many aspects have already been studied and literature is available to all people. However, what continues to remain hidden is the great influence that Pius XII had on the Second Vatican Council. His profound teaching and gift of far-sight is evident in the 43 encyclicals that marked his pontificate and the many speeches in which he addressed the controversial topics of his era.” There are three main specific traits of this magisterium: doctrinal promotion, doctrinal defense, and discovery of errors.
Fr. Gianfranco Guirnalda, S.I, Rector of the Pontifical University Gregoriana, spoke about the Congress scheduled for November. In fact, Pius XII was himself a student at the Gregoriana and what is now the Lateran University (the then Pontifical Athenaeum of the Roman Seminary of Sant'Apollinare). “The Congress, whose speakers will be professors from the two universities, will last two days,” Fr. Guirnalda explained. The first morning, there will be four conferences on the general vision of Pius XII and the cultural and historical context in which the great pontiff carried out his magisterium, and the afternoon will be dedicated to specific themes. “The following morning will focus on the teachings of Pius XII in the area of ecclesiology, liturgy, and the role of the laity, and his vision of the Church-world relationship, Mariology, medicine and moral issues, and Canon Law.”
The photographic display entitled: “Pius XII: the Man and the Pontificate,” is also another commemorative event. As Monsignor Walter Brandmuller, President of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences, “to reconstruct Eugenio Pacelli's life from boyhood to death, using images (many of them unpublished), as well as documents, personal objects, gifts and clothes: his formation at the Pontifical Roman Athenaeums, his training for a diplomatic career at the Secretariat of State; his mission to Germany (first in Bavaria then in Berlin); his return to the Vatican as secretary of State and, finally, his election to the Pontifical throne.”
“The exhibition, apart from its historical and documentary aspects", said Dr. Giovanni Morello, President of the Foundation for the Artistic Patrimony and Activity of the Church, “is also of great artistic interest. Indeed, not everyone is aware that the first nucleus of the modern art collection in the Vatican Museums, later expanded during the pontificate of Paul VI, dates back to an initiative of Pius XII.” Thanks to the Vatican Museums, ten works from this original nucleus will be on display, including paintings by Carra, De Chirico, De Pisis, Morandi, Rouault, Sironi and Utrillo, as well as a number of sketches presented for the competition for the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica for the Holy Year 1950. The artistic side of the exhibition is enriched by the presence of various valuable “gifts” given to Pius XII during his pontificate, that used to be kept the Vatican Apostolic Library and are now held in the Vatican Museums. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 18/6/2008)
