Pius XI. in der spanischen Arena. Der Vatikan, das nationalsozialistische Deutschland und das Ringen um die gesellschaftspolitische Ausrichtung des Franco-Regimes 1936 bis 1938

Abstract

El artículo analiza el radical cambio de actitud de la Santa Sede respecto del bando nacional en verano de 1937, que resultó en un temprano reconocimiento diplomático, como resultado directo del temor a la infiltración nacionalsocialista del gobierno liderado por el general Franco, justo en el momento álgido del hostigamiento de la Iglesia católica alemana por parte del régimen de Hitler.This paper examines the stance of the Holy See in the Spanish Civil War. It particularly analyzes the motives that moved the Pope to adopt a position in favor of the insurgents led by General Franco long before the military outcome of the conflict became evident. Recently available Vatican source material of the pontificate of Pius XI opens new perspectives on the Vatican’s decision criteria and strategies, which lead to the conclusion that the reasons for the Pope to approach Franco have to be found in the danger of the Nazi ideology infiltrating the developing Franco State, and becoming evident to the Pope in early Summer 1937.