Papal Retrospective : Pius XII : 2

On 2nd March, 1939, EUGENIO PACELLI, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, was elected Pope by the College of Cardinals and took the name Pius XII. Unlike his two immediate predecessors, Benedict XV and Pius XI, the election of Eugenio Pacelli was completely expected, since he had been extremely prominent in Rome and Internationally.

Pope Pius XII's Pontificate spanned the years of the Second World War and beyond.  He died on 9th October, 1958 at the age of 82 and is buried in the crypt of Saint Peter's Basilica.

Click on the images for an enlarged view.

Pope Pius celebrating Low Mass in S' Peter's Basilica.

In contrast with the scene depicted in the previous photograph,
the Solemn Papal Mass in S' Peter's.
Ministers attend the Pope at the High altar
whilst the bishops-assistant at the Papal Throne
are seen in the middle of the photograph.

The 1946 Consistory in S' Peter's Basilica
in which Pope Pius XII Elevated 32 bishops from around the world
to the College of Cardinals.
This included the Archbishop of Sydney, Norman Thomas Gilroy.

Outside S' Peter's Basilica during the Ceremony of Canonisation
of Saint Maria Goretti in 1950.

The famous photograph taken of Pope Pius addressing the Faithful
from the central loggia of S' Peter's on the occasion of the Definition
of the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1950.

Low Mass in S' Peter's Basilica, celebrated by Pius XII.

Pope Pius at the cathedra in S' Peter's Basilica
during a Solemn Papal Mass.

Pope Pius giving his Urbi et Orbe Blessing.
The mitre he is wearing was one he frequently used
which had been made for Pope Benedict XV.
The same mitre was frequently used in recent years by Benedict XVI.

Pope Pius depicted at the Opening of the Holy Door in 1950.

Passing through the Holy Door, 1950.
Pope Pius is shewn carrying the Papal staff or ferula made for
Pope Pius IX, also used in recent years by
Pope Benedict XVI.

In S' Peter's during the Canonisation of Saint Pius X in 1954.

An Easter Blessing from the central loggia of S' Peter's.

Coat of Arms of Pope Pius XII.

The scene in S' Peter's Basilica in October 1958 for the funeral
of Pope Pius XII.

The Dean of the Sacred College, Cardinal Tisserant,
celebrating the Funeral Rites of Pope Pius XII.

The remarkable bronze statue in S' Peter's
of Pope Pius XII.