Did Pope Pius XII Ever Read Imitation of Christ?
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Just as every famous poet has read Shakespeare, there are a few Catholic writers who have been read by Popes and saints alike.
Imitation of Christ is one of these great books.
Amongst these saints and popes are St Francis De Sales, St Ignatius of Loyola, and Bl. Pope John Paul I. However, did Pope Pius XII ever read The Imitation of Christ?
But first… who is Pope Pius XII?
Who is Pope Pius XII?
Pope Pius XII was a man of justice and diplomacy, who was put to the test in the most trying time of human history.
Pope Pius XII was born in 1876, and at the age of 18, he decided to join the seminary. Once he was ordained as a priest, he entered a special diplomatic role in the Church.
He quickly distinguished himself as an exceptional canon lawyer and negotiator, known for his clarity, reserve, and attention to detail. These traits would later shape his papacy in decisive ways.
His most formative assignment came as Apostolic Nuncio to Germany in the years following World War I. There, Pacelli witnessed the effects of the war. Out of all the nations, Germany was hit the hardest with mass poverty and political instability. This experience gave him a sober understanding of the consequences of war.
In 1930, Pacelli was appointed Secretary of State, becoming the Holy See’s chief diplomat. He negotiated agreements aimed at protecting the Church in increasingly hostile political climates.
He was elected pope in 1939 and took the name Pius XII. Yet Europe stood on the brink of catastrophe. The struggles that he saw in Germany had become too much for the people to bear. Within months, World War II had begun.
During the war, Pius XII adopted a strategy of public neutrality combined with quiet action. He believed overt political confrontation could worsen persecution and limit the Church’s ability to act. Behind the scenes, Vatican institutions helped save countless Jews, prisoners, and refugees. While his wartime approach has been debated, many Jewish leaders after the war publicly expressed gratitude for his efforts.
Pinchas Lapide says that “No Pope in history has been thanked more heartily by Jews." He estimates that the Church helped save as many as 860,000 Jews from death during the war.
After 1945, Pius XII emerged as one of the most theologically active popes in history. He promoted biblical scholarship and deepened Marian devotion. In 1950, he solemnly defined the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary as dogma. This was the most recent time a dogma had been defined since 1854 with the Immaculate Conception.
Pius XII died in 1958, leaving behind a Church that had survived global devastation and stood on the threshold of renewal. In a time of complete darkness, Pope Pius XII stood as a beacon of hope and love for all the nations.
What is Imitation of Christ?
Written in the 15th century, The Imitation of Christ is a collection of short meditations focused on growing in holiness every day. Thomas Kempis aimed to teach people who just entered the monastery how to be good monks. However, soon, the public saw how his wisdom could improve their own lives.
This book isn’t a massive theological book or very complicated. But rather, each chapter is only a few pages long.
The three main virtues this book tries to equip the reader with are humility, detachment and purity of heart.
In society, we can be excessively attached to so many things. Jobs, money, status and pleasure. Thomas à Kempis shows how to shift that attachment toward God, so we enjoy these goods without being enslaved by them.
What makes it enduring is its simplicity. The author’s voice is one of a mentor, not a professor. He steers readers away from pride, worldliness, and distraction, urging a patient, faithful devotion to Jesus.
Millions of copies of this book have been sold. However, one thing that put this book so high in this list was not just its ability to touch the lives of so many regular Catholics, but also canonised saints and Popes.
Did Pope Pius XII Ever Read The Imitation of Christ?
There are two main references that Pope Pius XII gives to the Imitation of Christ in his homilies and publications.
The first in the homily of canonisation of Maria Goretti. Here he says
In that moment of crisis, she could have spoken to her Redeemer in the words of that classic, The Imitation of Christ: “Though tested and plagued by a host of misfortunes, I have no fear so long as your grace is with me. It is my strength, stronger than any adversary; it helps me and gives me guidance.” With splendid courage she surrendered herself to God and his grace and so gave her life to protect her virginity.
The second reference Pope Pius XII has is in an encyclical about the liturgy called Mediator Dei:
Why then, Venerable Brethren, should we not approve of those who, when they receive holy communion, remain on in closest familiarity with their divine Redeemer even after the congregation has been officially dismissed, and that not only for the consolation of conversing with Him, but also to render Him due thanks and praise and especially to ask help to defend their souls against anything that may lessen the efficacy of the sacrament and to do everything in their power to cooperate with the action of Christ who is so intimately present. We exhort them to do so in a special manner by carrying out their resolutions, by exercising the Christian virtues, as also by applying to their own necessities the riches they have received with royal Liberality. The author of that golden book The Imitation of Christ certainly speaks in accordance with the letter and the spirit of the liturgy, when he gives the following advice to the person who approaches the altar, "Remain on in secret and take delight in your God; for He is yours whom the whole world cannot take away from you."
Like his predecessor, Pope Pius XI, Pope Pius XII calls this a golden book. From these texts, it is obvious that Pope Pius XII viewed Thomas Kempis as an esteemed author.
It is therefore quite likely that Ven. Pope Pius XII read at least part of the Imitation of Christ.
A Book Adored By Saints and Popes
Imitation of Christ is a unique book. It’s one adored by saints, popes, and ordinary people alike. And amongst those was likely Pope Pius XI.
Although it can be a confronting read, it has led many people closer to God.
You can get a copy of Imitation of Christ here at 10% off.
God Bless,
Virtue Books and Gifts