Pius XII

Full Name: Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli
Profession: 260th Pope

Biography: Pope Pius XII held his position as Bishop of Rome from 1939 to 1958. During his papacy, Pius was notable for the active role in foreign relations played by the Vatican. Some of this has been criticised, but he has also been praised for these 'Extraordinary Ecclesiastical Affairs.'

Pius is particularly remembered for the Reichskonkordat, in which an agreement of neutrality was signed with Germany during World War Two. Yet also during this time, the Vatican under his control was involved in the German resistance and saved some thousands of Jewish lives.

He received an award from the World Jewish Council for this, "in recognition of the work of the Holy See in rescuing Jews from Fascist and Nazi persecutions." Still his relations with Germany during this period have been criticised and interpretations of his role remain controversial.

Throughout his papacy, Pius was strongly opposed to communism. Indeed, he went so far as to describe the fight against communism as a holy war and excommunicate all members of the Communist Party.

He saw communism as fundamentally opposed to Catholicism, and in political terms subscribed to a domino theory: "[if] the Communists win in Rome, in Italy, it will cast a shadow on the entire world: France would become Communist, and then Spain and then all of Europe."

Born: March 2, 1876
Birthplace: Rome, Kingdom of Italy
Star Sign: Pisces

Died: October 9, 1958 (aged 82)
Cause of Death: Heart failure