The Vatican & The Third Reich: An Unholy Alliance

Watch The Vatican & The Third Reich: An Unholy Alliance

  • 2015
  • 54 min

The Vatican & The Third Reich: An Unholy Alliance is a documentary film that explores the relationship between the Catholic Church and Nazi Germany during the 1930s and 1940s. The film sheds light on the little-known history of collaboration and cooperation between the Vatican and the Third Reich, despite their ideological differences.

The film is divided into several chapters, each of which focuses on a different aspect of the relationship between the Vatican and the Third Reich. The first chapter provides historical context, describing the rise of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist Party in Germany, as well as the emergence of the Catholic Church as a global power in the 20th century.

The second chapter explores the early attempts at collaboration between the Vatican and the Nazi regime, including the signing of the Reichskonkordat in 1933. This agreement formalized the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Nazi state and granted the Church certain privileges, such as the right to operate schools and run its own publishing house. However, it also required the Church to remain neutral on political matters and to refrain from criticizing the Nazi government.

The third chapter delves into the role of Pope Pius XII during the Second World War. Some historians have accused the Pope of remaining silent in the face of Nazi atrocities against the Jewish people, while others have defended him as a man who worked behind the scenes to protect Jews and other victims of the Holocaust.

The fourth chapter focuses on the Vatican's role in facilitating the escape of Nazi war criminals to South America in the aftermath of the war. Several high-ranking officials from the Third Reich, including Adolf Eichmann and Josef Mengele, were able to flee to countries such as Argentina with the assistance of the Church.

Overall, The Vatican & The Third Reich: An Unholy Alliance provides a thought-provoking examination of a complex and controversial topic. The film draws on a wealth of archival footage and expert commentary to shed light on a little-known facet of World War II history. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the Catholic Church or the Third Reich.

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Description
  • Release Date
    2015
  • Runtime
    54 min