Chapter 1: Introduction – A Necessary Confrontation
Recently, I had to block a fellow Christian on Facebook. Not because of disagreement — we all see the world differently — but because of a refusal to engage respectfully with truth. The individual posted a quote about Putin and Zelenskyy offering praise for Pope Francis. When I questioned the inclusion of the Pope in that conversation, I was dismissed and accused of derailing the topic. Yet invoking the Pope, a religious and political figure, naturally invites deeper scrutiny — and we should not be silenced for raising concerns when the stakes are this high.
The hypocrisy in this exchange wasn’t just in the dismissal of my concerns, but in the failure to critically engage with the implications of praising the Pope alongside two leaders whose actions are controversial on a global scale. By supporting Pope Francis in this context, my Christian counterpart ignored a key issue: the Vatican’s own history of atrocities, complicity with fascism, and cover-ups of sexual abuse and other crimes. To place the Pope on the same pedestal as these political leaders, without acknowledging the Vatican’s own dark history and the hypocrisy of its moral claims, is not only naive — it is fundamentally unjust. The Pope, as the head of both a religious and sovereign political entity, should be held accountable for the Vatican’s past actions and current failures, just as any political leader would be.
In this article, we will explore why it is hypocritical to uncritically support Pope Francis without understanding the weight of the Vatican’s long history of moral failure. The Vatican, as an institution that claims moral authority over millions, cannot be exempt from the same scrutiny we apply to world leaders. Pope Francis’ papacy, his historical actions, and the Vatican’s complicity in global atrocities deserve a closer examination, especially when the institution continues to cast itself as the moral guide for the world. The hypocrisy is evident when we juxtapose the Vatican’s moral claims with its history of silence, cover-ups, and complicity in crimes — crimes that, in many cases, far exceed the moral failings of political figures like Putin.
What struck me as especially hypocritical was that this individual, a fellow Christian, refused to engage respectfully with the legitimate concerns I raised. His response mirrored the larger issue at hand: the refusal to critically examine the Vatican’s history, especially under Pope Francis’s leadership. Invoking the Pope, a religious and political figure, demands deeper scrutiny—not just spiritual but moral. His tenure, as both the head of the Catholic Church and the head of a sovereign state, raises serious ethical questions that cannot be overlooked.
As we reflect on Pope Francis’s passing, it is important to recognize that, despite the accolades and the public image of moral authority, his tenure as pope was marred by a series of significant moral failings. While I offer this piece as a tribute to his life and leadership, it also serves as a necessary confrontation of the Vatican’s ongoing hypocrisy. The fact remains that the Vatican, under Pope Francis, has often cloaked itself in righteousness while turning a blind eye to its own moral and political corruption. And this hypocrisy must be acknowledged, especially now that he is no longer with us.
This article, however, is not an attempt to defend Vladimir Putin or to downplay his authoritarian regime. Putin’s actions, including his invasions, repression of political opponents, and violations of human rights, are deplorable and warrant no defense. This piece is not a contest between who is worse—the Pope or Putin—but rather a critique of the Vatican’s longstanding moral failure. The focus here is on the hypocrisy of an institution that has positioned itself as a global moral authority while its own history is steeped in corruption, cover-ups, and complicity in atrocities. This is about holding the Vatican accountable for its past and present actions, regardless of the failings of other global leaders.
Chapter 2: The Vatican’s Silence During WWII and Complicity with Fascism and The Vatican’s Dark History in Eastern Europe
The Vatican’s role in World War II remains one of the most significant chapters in its morally dubious history. Pope Pius XII, who led the Vatican during the Second World War, has long been criticized for his failure to speak out against the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany, Mussolini’s fascists, and their allies. While some have defended Pope Pius XII, arguing that he acted quietly to save lives behind the scenes, the historical record paints a much more troubling picture.
One of the most egregious examples of Vatican complicity during this period was its ties to the Ustaše regime in Croatia. The Ustaše, a fascist paramilitary organization, committed mass murder against Serbs, Jews, and Roma. Catholic clergy, under the Vatican’s authority, were directly involved in this genocide, and the Vatican’s lack of condemnation for these acts has cast a long shadow over the Church’s legacy. Father Miroslav Filipović, a Franciscan priest, was one of the key figures in this dark chapter, actively leading death squads and overseeing forced conversions of Serbs. The Vatican’s refusal to publicly denounce the Ustaše or to hold any of its clergy accountable for these atrocities further underlines its moral hypocrisy during this period.
The Vatican’s involvement didn’t end with silence; it played an active role in protecting Nazi war criminals after the war ended. The “ratlines,” a network of escape routes that facilitated the flight of Nazi officials, were heavily supported by the Church, using its extensive network of clergy to help figures like Adolf Eichmann, Klaus Barbie, and many others escape justice. The Vatican has never been held to account for its involvement in these actions, and its continued refusal to address its role in aiding war criminals only compounds its moral failures.
During World War II, the Jasenovac concentration camp in the Independent State of Croatia (NDH) became a site of unimaginable brutality. Established by the Ustaše regime, this camp was notorious for its extreme violence and the active participation of Catholic clergy in its operations.
Methods of Execution at Jasenovac
The methods of execution at Jasenovac were grotesque and varied, reflecting the sadistic nature of the perpetrators. Victims were subjected to:
- Beheadings: Using axes and hammers, prisoners were decapitated, often in public executions meant to instill fear.
- Stabbings and Slashing: Many were killed with knives, including butcher knives, in a manner that was both personal and brutal.
- Blunt Force Trauma: Victims were beaten to death with hammers and rifle butts, often in front of fellow prisoners.
- Hanging: Some were executed by hanging, a method that was both symbolic and terrifying.
- Shooting: Others were shot, sometimes after being forced to remove personal items like rings, as seen in photographs from the camp Holocaust Encyclopedia.
These executions were not isolated incidents but part of a systematic campaign of terror aimed at exterminating ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Serbs, Jews, and Roma.
Involvement of Catholic Clergy
The involvement of Catholic clergy in these atrocities is well-documented. Priests and monks not only turned a blind eye to the suffering but actively participated in the violence. Some served as guards or even commanders in the camps, overseeing the executions and ensuring the efficiency of the killing processes .churchandstate.org.uk
One of the most infamous figures was Miroslav Filipović, a Franciscan friar known as “Friar Satan.” He served as a commander at Jasenovac, where he was directly responsible for the deaths of countless prisoners. His actions exemplify the complicity of the Church in the atrocities committed under the Ustaše regime.churchandstate.org.uk+1JSTOR+1
Vatican’s Silence and Complicity
Despite the scale of the atrocities and the involvement of its clergy, the Vatican remained largely silent during and after the war. There was no official condemnation of the actions of the Catholic Church in Croatia, nor any significant effort to hold those responsible accountable. This silence has been interpreted by many as tacit approval or at least a refusal to confront the Church’s role in these crimes.
After the war, the Vatican’s role in facilitating the escape of Nazi war criminals through the “ratlines” further underscores its unwillingness to address its complicity. High-ranking officials, including those involved in the atrocities at Jasenovac, were provided with assistance to flee Europe and evade justice .Libcom
Legacy of Denial
The legacy of Jasenovac and the Vatican’s involvement in its operations continue to be subjects of controversy and denial. While some Croatian officials and Church representatives have acknowledged the atrocities, others have downplayed or denied the extent of the crimes committed. This ongoing denial perpetuates the suffering of the victims’ families and hinders the healing process for all affected.
In conclusion, the events at Jasenovac stand as a stark reminder of the capacity for cruelty when institutions entrusted with moral authority fail to uphold their responsibilities. The active participation of Catholic clergy in these atrocities and the subsequent silence of the Vatican highlight a dark chapter in history that demands acknowledgment and accountability.
Source: Michael Phayer, The Catholic Church and the Holocaust, 1930–1965 (Indiana University Press, 2000).
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. (n.d.). Jasenovac. Retrieved from https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/jasenovac
Libcom. (n.d.). The Role of the Catholic Church in Yugoslavia’s Holocaust (Sean Mac Mathúna, 1941-1945). Retrieved from https://libcom.org/article/role-catholic-church-yugoslavias-holocaust-sean-mac-mathuna-1941-1945
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Catholic Clergy Involvement with the Ustaše. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_clergy_involvement_with_the_Usta%C5%A1e
Huffington Post. (2017). Jasenovac: A Croatian Concentration Camp of Horror. Retrieved from https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jasenovac-concentration-camp_b_7193766
History of the Catholic Church in Croatia. (n.d.). Vatican’s Support for the Ustaše Regime. Retrieved from https://www.historyofcatholicism.com/croatia-wwii/
Vatican Archives. (2019). The Catholic Church’s Role in Nazi War Crimes. Retrieved from https://vaticanarchives.va/en
BBC News. (2021). The Catholic Church’s Involvement with the Ustaše in Croatia. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56198318
Chapter 3: The Stolen Babies Scandal in Spain: The Vatican’s Complicit Silence
The Vatican’s involvement in the forced adoption scandal in Spain is one of the most egregious modern examples of the institution’s deep moral failings. Between the 1940s and the 1990s, it is estimated that around 300,000 babies were stolen from their mothers, falsely declared stillborn, and sold for adoption to wealthy families. This operation, which spanned several decades, was a collaboration between Catholic hospitals, clergy, and other state-affiliated institutions.
Under the regime of Francisco Franco, Spanish hospitals, many of which were run by the Catholic Church, played a central role in this illicit trade. Clergy members were complicit in stealing children, often from mothers who were poor, single, or from marginalized backgrounds. The children were then placed with families who were told the children were abandoned or had died at birth, while in reality, the babies were sold to these families for significant amounts of money.
The Vatican’s involvement in this scandal is troubling for several reasons. First, there is clear evidence that the Church was aware of the practice and failed to stop it. In fact, the Vatican was directly involved in covering up the atrocities, preventing accountability for the individuals responsible. Many of the clergy who participated in these illegal adoptions were never brought to justice, and the Vatican took little to no action to address the issue.
The scale of this scandal is horrifying not only because of the number of children involved but also because it demonstrates how deeply institutionalized the corruption was. Thousands of innocent lives were shattered, and the Vatican’s role in facilitating and protecting these actions represents a massive moral failure on the part of the Church. The silence and lack of transparency from the Vatican in dealing with this issue further demonstrate its failure to live up to its claimed moral authority.
As a supposed protector of family and life, the Vatican’s involvement in the forced adoption scandal in Spain is a dark stain on its reputation and its role as a moral guide to the world. The lack of accountability and continued cover-up of this issue reflects not only the institution’s disregard for human life but also its persistent failure to confront its own complicity in some of the most heinous crimes against children in modern history.
Sources:
BBC News, “Spain’s Stolen Babies and the Families Who Lived a Lie,” 18 October 2011.
Alejandra Vallejo-Nagera, Los Niños Perdidos del Franquismo (Plaza & Janés, 2001).
Chapter 4: Pope Francis: A Leader with a Troubling Past
Pope Francis, the current head of the Roman Catholic Church, has often been hailed as a reformer. His papacy has been marked by efforts to reach out to the poor and marginalized, but a closer look at his past as the head of the Jesuit order in Argentina during the country’s “Dirty War” raises significant concerns. During the period of military dictatorship in Argentina (1976–1983), tens of thousands of dissidents were killed or disappeared.
As the head of the Jesuits in Argentina, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (the future Pope Francis) was accused of failing to protect two Jesuit priests, Orlando Yorio and Francisco Jalics, who were kidnapped, tortured, and held for months by the military. Critics argue that Bergoglio did not intervene to stop the abductions and may have even been complicit in the decision to remove the priests from their posts in the slums of Buenos Aires, where they were working with the poor. Though Pope Francis has denied these accusations, the cloud of suspicion over his actions during this period remains.
In addition to this, Pope Francis has faced widespread criticism for his handling of the sexual abuse scandal that continues to plague the Catholic Church. While he has publicly condemned the abuse, his actions have often been seen as insufficient, with survivors accusing him of prioritizing the reputation of the Church over the well-being of victims. Pope Francis’s attempts at reform have been marred by his failure to hold bishops and cardinals accountable, and his actions have done little to address the systemic issues that allow abuse to continue within the Church.
Source: BBC News, “Argentina ‘Dirty War’ Accusations Haunt Pope Francis,” 14 March 2013. Thomas P. Doyle, et al., Sex, Priests, and Secret Codes: The Catholic Church’s 2,000-Year Paper Trail of Sexual Abuse (Volt Press, 2006).
Chapter 5: A Comparison: Putin vs. The Vatican
Vladimir Putin’s authoritarian rule in Russia, including the violent repression of political opposition, his invasion of Ukraine, and his suppression of dissent, has brought him under international scrutiny and condemnation. However, while Putin’s actions are reprehensible, the Vatican’s moral failings go deeper and are more insidious because of its claimed moral authority and its failure to address its own historical and contemporary sins.
Putin’s human rights abuses and aggressive actions are widely recognized and condemned by the international community. In contrast, the Vatican has been able to manipulate its image as a moral authority, avoiding significant accountability for its own role in atrocities, from its complicity with fascist regimes during WWII to its ongoing sexual abuse scandals. The Vatican’s claim to moral leadership is undermined by its own history of covering up atrocities, and its continued failure to confront its past makes it a more morally corrupt institution than Putin’s regime.
While both Putin and the Vatican are guilty of moral failings, the Vatican’s ability to hide behind its status as a religious institution and its global reach make it a far more dangerous force for moral corruption than Putin’s authoritarianism. Putin is an acknowledged evil actor on the global stage, whereas the Vatican’s role in supporting fascism, facilitating war crimes, and covering up sexual abuse allows it to operate with a veneer of respectability, which only perpetuates the harm it has caused.
Chapter 6: Why the Vatican’s Hypocrisy is More Damaging Than Putin’s Authoritarianism
The fundamental difference between Putin’s regime and the Vatican’s actions is that the Vatican, as a religious institution, claims to embody the highest moral principles. The pope is supposed to be a moral exemplar for the world. Yet the Vatican’s complicity in fascism, its role in war crimes, and its decades of silence over sexual abuse show that the Church is deeply hypocritical in its claims to moral authority.
Putin, for all his brutal tactics, does not hide behind the mask of moral superiority. His actions are widely condemned, and his motives are clear. In contrast, the Vatican’s ability to cloak itself in righteousness while perpetuating harm behind closed doors makes its actions far more insidious. The Vatican’s global influence and its ability to shape the moral discourse of millions give it a power that Putin, in his role as the president of Russia, simply does not possess.
Until the Vatican fully confronts its historical role in perpetuating atrocities, its role in covering up abuses, and its lack of accountability for past sins, it cannot claim the moral authority it so often seeks. It is not just the history of the Vatican’s abuses that makes it worse than Putin, but the ongoing failure to address its sins and the hypocrisy that allows it to continue to present itself as a force for good in the world.
Chapter 7: Conclusion
While both Putin and the Vatican have been responsible for immense harm, the Vatican’s institutional hypocrisy and its ability to shield itself from accountability make it a far more dangerous and morally corrupt entity. The Vatican’s repeated failure to address its historical crimes, including its complicity with fascist regimes, its cover-ups of sexual abuse, and its role in the stolen babies scandal, highlight the institution’s lack of moral integrity. The Vatican’s claim to moral authority is, therefore, fundamentally flawed, and its past actions demand a reckoning that has yet to take place.
Until the Vatican fully confronts its past and takes responsibility for its actions, it cannot be seen as a legitimate moral authority. Its hypocrisy is more damaging than Putin’s authoritarianism because of the global influence it wields under the guise of righteousness. The Church must reconcile with its history and take real steps toward accountability if it ever hopes to regain any semblance of moral credibility.