POZIȚIA SFÂNTULUI SCAUN FAȚĂ DE ROMÂNIA LA SFÂRȘITUL CELUI DE AL DOILEA RĂZBOI MONDIAL. CÂTEVA CONSIDERAȚII

Abstract:

Until 1950, the relations between Romania and the Holy See experienced a continuous development, marked by the open attitude of the Vatican towards the natural aspirations of the Romanian people to build their unitary national state, to develop economically and socially and to play an active role in international relations. During the war, the Vatican sought to help the Romanian people materially and spiritually, to determine a democratic behaviour towards minorities and towards all those who suffered from the war (eg. encouraging Romanian aid to Poland, protecting Jews, especially those deported to Transnistria). Developments in theaters of operations convinced the Vatican of the danger to the world of the expansion of Soviet Bolshevism. The Vatican is becoming increasingly aware of the disastrous consequences for the Church (and for religions in general) that the Soviet occupation could bring, including in Romania. As a result, the Holy See sought through diplomatic means and by informing public opinion to help the survival of churches in Romania, to save people and property from destruction. Based on the documents from the Vatican archives, the study aims to shed light on the positions of the Holy See in relation to the social-political evolutions in post-war Romania.

Keywords:

Romania, Vatican, Apostolic Nuncio Andreea Cassulo, World War II.