# 1954 DOCUMENTARY ABOUT POPE PIUS XII LOURDES FRANCE VATICAN CITY 48014

This Castle Films News Parade episode from 1954 tells the story of Pope Pius XII. Born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli, Pope Pius XII ( 00:42 ) served as Pope of the Catholic Church from 1939 until his death in 1958. The film opens with an aerial shot of the Vatican ( 00:21 ) and St. Peter’s Basilica ( 00:30 ). Before becoming the 266th pontiff of the Catholic Church, he visits the Shrine of Lourdes ( 01:10 ), Budapest ( 01:16 ), and Fordham University ( 01:40 ) in the U.S. In 1939, he is elected Pope ( 02:14 ), and the ceremony is held in public for the first time in many years. The Swiss Guards swear their allegiance ( 02:32 ) as part of the ceremony. King Victor Emmanuel of Italy ( 03:01 ) and his queen pay their respects to the new pope. Pius XII gets to work, holding audiences and running the church despite the war. Pius XII walks through the Vatican’s gardens ( 03:54 ) for some quiet. Rome is liberated by U.S. soldiers, who are cheered on by Italians as the Coliseum looms in the background ( 04:30 ). U.S. GIs meet with Pope Pius XII and attend mass ( 04:54 ). In 1946, Pius XII elevates a number of archbishops to the rank of cardinal, including Archbishop Francis Spellman of NY ( 05:12 ) and Archbishop James McGuigan of Canada ( 05:29 ). Pope Pius XII oversees a pilgrimage during the Holy Year ( 05:45 ). On Christmas Eve of 1949, Pope Pius XII walks through the door of St. Peter’s ( 06:35 ) and presides over mass; the heavy wooden door is shut and sealed (…

- Kind: Documentary
- Genres: Documentary, Industrial and advertising
- Archive: [Internet Archive](https://archive.org/details/48014CastleFilmsTheStoryOfPopePiusXII)
- Licence or status: none stated by the archive
- Who can watch: Tweens profiles and older (the archive gives no rating; placed by Invisible Network from its collection and subjects)

[Watch now](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/watch/archive/ia/48014CastleFilmsTheStoryOfPopePiusXII?play=1)