Pope Pius XII created a clandestine network to save the lives of Jews who were being persecuted by the Nazis. One of the members of this group is still alive: an Italian priest, Giancarlo Centioni, who was born in 1912. Between 1940 and 1945, he served as a military chaplain for the National Security Volunteer Militia in Rome and lived in a house of German priests who become involved in the network in order to save lives.

“I lived in the General House of the Pallottine Fathers and my fellow German priests invited me to take part. Given that I was a chaplain for the fascists, it was easier for me to help the Jews.

The other Pallottine priests from Hamburg, Germany, had founded a group called St. Raphael’s Society, instituted to help the Jews.

It offered the opportunity to first escape from Germany to Italy, and then later to Switzerland and to Lisbon, Portugal.”

In Germany, Father Centioni recalls, the society was lead by Father Kentenich, known throughout the world as the founder of the apostolic movement “Schönstatt”. This Pallottine Father was later incarcerated and confined in the Dachau concentration camp until the end of the war.

“This activity was based in Rome on 57 Pettinari Street by Father Anton Weber, who kept in contact with Pius XII and his secretary.”

This network gave passports and money to Jewish families so that they could escape.

“The money and the passports were handed over to Father Anton Weber; yet he received them directly from the His Holiness’ Secretary of State, in the name of and paid by Pius XII.

I often brought money to Jewish homes.

At least 12 German priests in Rome were allowed to help me.”

The network's intervention had already begun even before Germany had invaded Italy.

“They began prior to the war; they kept going– as far as I know – at least until after 1945, because Father Weber had an intense relationship with the Vatican, with the Jews, and with a lot of people it was very strong. Among those who helped us afterwards were two Jews whom we had helped to hide: author Melchiorre Gioia and from Vienna, Erwin Frimm Kozab, a great composer during that time who wrote songs and operas. One we hid on Giuseppe Street, near Bari, and the other on 57 Pettinari Street. Later they assisted us quite a lot, giving us very explicit information, etc.

I helped Ivan Basilius, a Russian spy – no one knew he was Russian or a spy – but that he was a Jew. Unfortunately, the SS arrested him and he had my name written in his notebook. Therefore – oh my – the Holy See called me, His Excellency Bishop Hudal said to me, ‘Tell me, why are the SS here to arrest you?’ ‘What did I do?’ ‘You assisted a Russian spy.’ ‘Me? How should I know? Who is he?’ And so I ran away.’”

As chaplain, Father Centioni knew the SS chief Herbert Kappler, police chief of the Gestapo in Rome and the instigator of the Fosse Ardeatine massacre, where 335 Italians were murdered, including many civilians and Jews.

“During the German occupation, after the massacre was carried out in March, I said to Kapler, whom I saw frequently,

‘Why were the military chaplains not called to be present at the Fosse Ardeatine?’ He replied, ‘Because they would have been killed – and they would have killed you as well.’”

Father Centioni stated that the hundreds of people whom he was able to help knew who was behind the operation.

“Pius XII helped them through us and other priests, by means of ‘St. Raphael’s Society’, as well as the German ‘Verbiti Society’ in Rome.”