Vatican sets date to issue Nazi era papers

The Vatican has set 15 February as the release date for archives documenting its relations with Germany leading up to the Second World War – part of its promised release intended to counter criticism of the papacy during the Holocaust.

But the Vatican revealed that a chunk of the archive dating from 1931-34 was nearly destroyed or dispersed during the bombing of Berlin in 1945 in a fire at the apostolic nuncio's palace.

The release is the Vatican's response to demands by Jewish groups for access to the archives dealing with Pope Pius XII, the pontiff during the Second World War.

His critics say he failed to raise his voice and use his position to forestall the extermination of European Jews by the Nazis. Supporters of Pius XII claim that he made every effort possible to help Jews and other victims, using quiet diplomacy.

The documents scheduled for release do not involve his papacy but cover the years 1922-39, when he was a Vatican diplomat in Germany and later the papal secretary of state.

The Vatican said the documents would show historians "the great works of charity and assistance" undertaken by Pius XII for prisoners and other victims, regardless of nation, religion or race.