Italian Catholic press support for the Axis War. Issue 5 (19th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kertzer, David I.; Benedetti, Roberto
• Is Part Of: Journal of modern Italian studies. Volume 25:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 469
• Page End: 507
• Publication Date: 2020-10-19
• Subjects: Fascism -- Second World War -- Roman Catholic Church -- newspapers; Fascismo -- Seconda Guerra Mondiale -- Chiesa Cattolica -- Giornali; Italy -- History -- 20th century -- Periodicals; Italy -- History -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Italy -- Civilization -- 20th century -- Periodicals; Italy -- Civilization -- 19th century -- Periodicals; 945.091
• DOI: 10.1080/1354571X.2020.1764243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1354-571X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Within the larger debate over Italians' attitudes toward the decision to join the Second World War on Germany's side, and their subsequent attitude toward fighting alongside the Nazis, the question of the role played by the Roman Catholic Church remains controversial. By focusing on Italy's three major Catholic daily newspapers for the years 1939 to 1943, and on the behind-the-scenes actions of the Fascist authorities, we here show one of the principal ways that the institutional Church communicated to Italy's Catholics the proper attitudes to take toward the war. The active role played by the papers and their editors in urging Italian Catholic support for the Axis cause is made clear. We examine the Bologna-based L'Avvenire d'Italia, the Rome-based L'Avvenire, and the Milan-based L'Italia, along with a variety of government and church-related archives.