Abstract

This essay introduces the written reports on the Shoah received by the Holy See as the extermination of the Jews was being carried out, more specifically those that arrived in 1942, the year in which half of all the killings of Jews took place. They were reported by priests returning from journeys, local religious representatives, apostolic nuncios, government officials, lay citizens, and Jewish organizations. The Vatican was one of the major points of arrival for news of Shoah. The news reports clearly signaled that a huge event was taking place. In July 1942, information also arrived about the use of «gas chambers. » The presentation offers some examples of such reports. As far as 1942 is concerned, the only public reference to the victims made by the Holy See was that contained in the speech delivered by Pius XII on the radio on December 24, which, however, did not name either the Jews or their murderers, nor did it contain a public appeal for their defense.