Museum Mourns the Death of Pope Francis

WASHINGTON – The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum mourns the death of His Holiness Pope Francis. In 2019 Pope Francis announced that the Vatican would open the archival record of Pope Pius XII to allow for in-depth research, a decision that Holocaust scholars, experts, and institutions had spent decades pursuing. 

“Opening the Vatican’s archives of Pope Pius XII is allowing historians to paint a fuller picture of the role of the Church during the persecution and systematic murder of Europe’s Jews,” said Museum Chairman Stuart E. Eizenstat. “The Church, Pope Francis said when opening the archives, is ‘not afraid of history.’ We remain grateful for his courageous decision to help us understand Holocaust history and the lessons it continues to hold for us today. We look forward to continuing this important partnership.” 

A nonpartisan federal, educational institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is America’s national memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, dedicated to ensuring the permanence of Holocaust memory, understanding, and relevance. Through the power of Holocaust history, the Museum challenges leaders and individuals worldwide to think critically about their role in society and to confront antisemitism and other forms of hate, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. For more information, visit ushmm.org.