La svolta di fine pontificato: verso una condanna dell'antisemitismo

The essay focuses on the final phases of Pius XI’s pontificate with regard to the anti-Jewish campaign in Italy, which led to the promulgation of a racial legislation in the second half of 1938. The analysis of the public and private documents has shown the lively reactions of the Pope to the racial and anti-Semitic policy of the fascist government in contrast with the more accommodating disposition of his entourage. In Pius XI’s mind it had become clearer and clearer that a condemnation of anti-Semitism was necessary and all the solutions for a new agreement with the regime, advanced by his collaborators, did not completely satisfy him. This paper sights to reveal the complexity of the reasons that convinced the Pope to reach a compromise with Mussolini on the matter.