Magisterium of Pius XII


The Magisterium of Pope Pius XII consists of some 1,600 mostly non-political speeches, messages, radio and television speeches, homilies, apostolic letters, and encyclicals of Pope Pius XII. His magisterium has been largely neglected or even overlooked by his biographers, who center on the policies of his pontificate.
The dates of the list may vary in accuracy. The list uses the official dates of the Discorsi and Acta Apostolicae Sedis, published by the Holy See. However, not all speeches are included there. Some were published in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, and those dates reflect the date of publication since the articles often did not indicate a different time. Therefore, there may be a difference of a day or two in some instances. The sources are listed below.
Of the 1600 papal addresses, this list includes the last fifty during the last five months of his pontificate. They also illustrate the papal work load, up to the very last days of his life. "He was the last Pope who wrote most of his speeches alone" said Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. Pius, who did not have a staff of speechwriters or permanent assistants, worked largely alone, assisted only by occasional help and proofreaders from professors of the Pontifical Gregorian University. The combined length and scope of these 50 speeches, written within only 150 days, suggest a brutal work load for Pius, which may have contributed to his death. His physician, Professor Gasparini, commented: "The Holy Father did not die because of any specific illness. He was completely exhausted. He was overworked beyond limit. His heart was healthy, his lungs were good. He could have lived another 20 years, had he spared himself."
No.Description and TopicDestinationDateLanguage
1.The power of social justice and ChristianityChristian Unions of ItalyMay 1, 1958Italian
2.Greetings and blessingGerman Catholic Association Rupert MayerMay 2, 1958German
3.The temptations of materialism in advertisingItalian workers from NaplesMay 4, 1958Italian
4.Man in service of creationInternational commission for irrigation and soil improvementMay 8, 1958English
5.Medicine based on natural lawBritish surgeonsMay 12, 1958
6.Christian optimism and the defense of human rightsNATO Defence CollegeMay 16, 1958English
7.Questions of military service and warFemale employees of the Italian armyMay 21, 1958Italian
8.Your apostolate: Ladies Guild of Santa SusannaAudience of American Women AssociationMay 22, 1958English
9.Religion, Science and true friendshipsGerman Catholic Student Associations, erlangenJune 2, 1958German
10.Ethics of the medical professionSpanish physiciansJune 8, 1958Spanish
11.Modern family problemsInternational meeting in Paris, FranceJune 10, 1958French
12.Ethics of journalismAmerican JournalistsJune 12, 1958English
13.Authentic Christian living increases priestly vocations25. Anniversary of Colegio Pio in BrazilJune 20, 1958Portuguese
14.Ethical conflicts of Real Estate AgentsConference of Italian real estate agentsJune 22, 1958Italian
15.The art of otolarynologists in light of Christian philosophyCongress of OtolarynologistsJune 29, 1958French
16.The Church in ChinaEncyclical, Ad Apostolorum principisJune 29, 1958Latin, several languages
17.The role of women in public lifeCatholic Action, ItalyJuly 2, 1958Italian
18.Rome before and after ChristianityStudents from the USAJuly 3, 1958English
19.Greetings and blessingsFaithful and clergy of MadagascarJuly 5, 1958French
20.Two ideals of Christian womanFemale youth, Catholic Action, ItalyJuly 13, 1958Italian
21.The Church in its struggle for freedomEncyclical, Meminisse iuvatJuly 14, 1958Latin, several languages
22.The Contemplative Life, Part OneRadio audience for members of contemplative convents throughout the worldJuly 19, 1958French
23.The message of Lourdes to blue collar workersInternational pilgrimage of Catholic blue collar workers to LourdesJuly 21, 1958French
24.The Contemplative Life, Part TwoRadio audience for members of contemplative convents throughout the WorldJuly 26, 1958French
25.Problems and Ideals in the health sectorInternational Catholic Health Conference, Brussels, BelgiumJuly 27, 1958French
26.The meaning of biblical studiesInternational biblical congress, Brussels, BelgiumJuly 28, 1958French
27.The Contemplative Life, Part ThreeRadio audience for members of contemplative convents throughout the WorldAugust 2, 1958French
28.Classical antiquity as an educational force for ChristianityInternational Congress for Classical ArcheologyAugust 7, 1958French
29.Christian academicians forming a Christian world?World Congress of Pax Romana in Vienna, AustriaAugust 11, 1958French
30.The family as center of sanctificationFamilies from SpainAugust 12, 1958Spanish
31.Purposes of the World Exhibition in BrusselsMessage to World Exhibition in BrusselsAugust 15, 1958French
32.The unity of life and religious lifeExhortation to German Catholics meeting in BerlinAugust 17, 1958German
33.The Third Order of St. Dominic TodayInternational congress of The Third Order of St. DominicAugust 20, 1958French
34.The relevance of blood group genetics for societyInternational Society for blood transfusionsSeptember 5, 1958French
35.The importance of legal employeesThird International Congress of Legal EmployeesSeptember 8, 1958French
36.Psychopharmaca and related treatments in light of Christian MoralityCollegium Internationale Neuro-Psycho-Pharmacologicum, RomeSeptember 9, 1958French
37.Christian love a basis for organized aidPilgrimage of Spanish insurance agentsSeptember 11, 1958Spanish
38.Hereditary problems and Christian consicienceInternational conference of haematologySeptember 12, 1958French
39.Purpose of Catholic schoolsGeneral meeting of Catholic educatorsSeptember 14, 1958French
40.The message of the Virgin Mary todayInternational Marian Congress, LourdesSeptember 17, 1958French
41.Philosophy and Christian faithInternational Congress of Philosophy, Venice and PadovaSeptember 18, 1958Italian
42.The wonderful world of bees, usefulness and value for human lifeInternational Congress of Bee KeepersSeptember 22, 1958French
43.The formation of Priests in our timeRectors of Latin American seminariesSeptember 23, 1958Spanish
44.The ideals of Christian lifeEucharistic congress in EcuadorSeptember 28, 1958Spanish
45.Accident avoidance as a moral problemInternational Association of Natural Gas IndustriesSeptember 28, 1958French
46.Call for a renewal of Christian lifeOpening of the restored Cathedral in Reims, FranceSeptember 29, 1958Latin
47.Ethical considerations for book stores in train terminalsOwners of train station book storesOctober 2, 1958Italian
48.Thinking about our guardian angels in OctoberAmerican Pilgrims with Francis Cardinal SpellmanOctober 3, 1958English
49.Obligations of notaries in our timeInternational CongressOctober 5, 1958French
50.Problems and perspectives concerning plastic surgeryCongress, Italian Society for Plastic SurgeryOctober 4, 1958Italian
Preparing yourself for the priesthoodStudents of the theological seminary in Apulia, ItalyItalian
The personality and magisterium of Pope Benedict XIV200. anniversary of the death of Pope Bendict XIVItalian

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