Why was Pope Pious XI such an awful Pope?

Answer 1

This is to the poster Erik who claims that Pope Pius XI supported 'the fascist Franco'....ummmm I HIGHLY suggest you re-read up on history....Franco was instrumental is fighting Communism....wow, the ignorance here!

Now to your question Merv. Pope Pius wasn't bad at all. Do you have any way to support your question by clarifying exactly what you mean?

It was Pope Pius XI that wrote to the priests and all the Catholic faith about fighting National Socialist Party (Nazi Party) particularly in " Mit Brennender Sorge" on March 14, 1937. http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_14031937_mit-brennender-sorge_en.html

Answer 2

Pope Pius XI was one of the better leaders in the 1930's. He tried to ensure protection for the Catholic church in Germany by signing a concrodat with Hitler; preventing the Catholic church from criticizing politics fromt he pulpit, but really differing little from American tax-exempt polycies. By backing tha facists in Spain Pius hoped to gain full religous freedom back for Catholics in Spain. (if the leftists won the Catholic church could expect to be supressed, so Pius chose what seemed like the lesser of 2 evils.)

Pius XI also tried to reform the Catholic chruch in a manner which would allow Catholics to adapt better to the world. This idea was intended to quell escapist and secularistic attidues. It also formed the basis for Catholic social teachings which are used to this day.

I fail to see how he was a horrible Pope. He was had of a nation, the Vatican City, which gained its status from Mussellini; prior to this the popes typically wanted the Papal States restored to them after having them conquered by Italian leftists. Pius XI also tried to walk a fine line in order to look out for the benefit of Catholics in Europe during the rise of facist states. He did a better job than Neville Chamberlain afterall.

Answer 3

He did support Franco and his fascist military coup in Spain, but I can think of other, worse Popes.