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Pope Pius was born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli on March 2, 1876 in Rome, Italy. He was ordained into the priesthood on April 2, 1899.

Pope Pius was born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli on March 2, 1876 in Rome, Italy. He was ordained into the priesthood on April 2, 1899.

He served as pope during World War II. Israeli scholar [[Pinchas Lapide]] stated in his book, ''The Last Three Popes'', that the Church under Pius’ pontificate,  “was instrumental in saving the lives of 860,000 Jews from certain death at Nazi hands. The figure far exceeds those saved by all other churches and rescue operations combined.”

He served as Pope during World War II. Israeli scholar [[Pinchas Lapide]] stated in his book, ''The Last Three Popes'', that the Church under Pius’ pontificate,  “was instrumental in saving the lives of 860,000 Jews from certain death at Nazi hands. The figure far exceeds those saved by all other churches and rescue operations combined.”

Upon the death of Pope Pius, Israeli Prime Minister [[Golda Mier]], commented that, “During the ten years of Nazi terror, when our people went through the horrors of martyrdom, the Pope raised his voice to condemn the persecutors and to commiserate with their victims.”

Upon the death of Pope Pius, Israeli Prime Minister [[Golda Mier]], commented that, “During the ten years of Nazi terror, when our people went through the horrors of martyrdom, the Pope raised his voice to condemn the persecutors and to commiserate with their victims.”