Abstract

The essay analyzes some historiographical tendencies in recent books on Pius XII and new paths of research about the international role of Eugenio Pacelli. On one side, the attempt to go beyond the narrow historiographical accounts of Pius XII's relationship with the Nazi regime during World War II and to offer more comprehensive pictures of all the characters is clearly visible. On the other side, the reconstruction of the role of the Catholic Church in the frame of international relations during World War II and the beginning of the Cold War is more common, in order to relativize the theological polemics about Pius XII in the history of 20th century Catholicism.