I would like to explore the possibility of an openly pro-Axis/pro-Nazi/pro-fascist Pope during WW2.
I tried to brainstorm about who could become this Pope. It would have to be some clergyman with preexisting radical right-wing beliefs that would support these forces once he gets elected by the College of Cardinals. The ones that came to mind were Theodor Innitzer and Alois Hudal. Innitzer seemed the less extreme of the two - he accepted the Anschluss, but then so did many other Austrians. He supported the war against the USSR, but apparently criticized Hitler's anti-Semitic policies. He stated "we must confess our faith in our Führer, for there is just one Führer: Jesus Christ." In general, it seems he put his faith above fascism/Nazism, especially when it seemed the Nazis were trying to suppress the Church in Germany. Naturally, this meant the Nazis were not happy with him.
Now Hudal, on the other hand, was something else. He spoke out about "the Semitic Race" like a typical Nazi, he hated Bolshevism, and he helped Nazi and Ustashe war criminals evade justice. He had some differences with the Nazis, namely regarding the role the Church would play in the future, clashing with the likes of Rosenberg, but overall, he was A-okay with their ideas, even as they were repressing the Church back home. He seems to have put ideology over faith.
So, what if Hudal somehow gets elected Pope? Let's say he understood that being open about his beliefs wouldn't improve his chances on getting the job, so he presents himself as moderate/apolitical, only to show his true colors once elected. To my knowledge, the Pope is considered infallible and his word is absolute within the Church, so he can't be ousted or anything like that, meaning he's here to stay. Hitler (and Mussolini too, I think) don't like Christianity, but in this scenario they see that playing nice could be very useful. They say all the right words ("The Catholic Church will be an integral part of the Thousand-Year Reich!") to get him on side - not hard to do, since he already thinks much like they do. He is convinced that they're sincere, and decides to provide all the support he reasonably can.
The Vatican is officially neutral, so he has no intention of sending Swiss Guards to help with the war effort (not that they would make a difference anyway) - instead, he basically runs interference and provides "moral" support. Persecution of Jews is, at best, ignored. Catholic priests trying to take a stand against Hitler and the Moose are reprimanded and threatened with excommunication. When the war begins, Hudal turns a blind eye to the abuses the Poles have to endure, or even outright justifies German actions as fighting partisans or something. As the Reich scores more victories, Hudal grows more confident, with vague allusions to "enemies of Christianity" growing ever more frequent and vivid. Once France has fallen, he is convinced that the Axis will win, and the quick conquest of Yugoslavia and Greece only reaffirms his belief. On the day of Barbarossa, he throws all caution out the window and openly declares his support for the "Great Crusade against Godless Bolshevism", urging all able-bodied men to join the fight. Presumably, when the war goes sideways, he'll start to backtrack.
1. How much of an effect will this have on the war effort? I'm guessing there will be more support in Catholic countries (obviously except those countries that got thrown under the bus like Poland), though I don't think it will tip the scales. Iron Curtain might end up farther East, but victory is still out of reach.
2. How is the Catholic Church affected in the aftermath? I would expect there to be a lot more disillusion with it. Poland would probably hate them and sever ties, establishing some independent Church instead. The Soviets would be out for blood, but they won't get to Rome in time by a long shot, so they might demand that the Allies put Hudal on trial, as his words were tantamount to a declaration of war.
3. Fate of the Vatican and Holy See? Maybe if people are angry enough, Italy can abrogate the Lateran treaty and re-annex the Vatican, and the Holy See might lose it's sovereignty, instead having to function like all other churches. Not very likely though.
4. Hudal himself. Is he put on trial? Imprisoned? Hanged?
I tried to brainstorm about who could become this Pope. It would have to be some clergyman with preexisting radical right-wing beliefs that would support these forces once he gets elected by the College of Cardinals. The ones that came to mind were Theodor Innitzer and Alois Hudal. Innitzer seemed the less extreme of the two - he accepted the Anschluss, but then so did many other Austrians. He supported the war against the USSR, but apparently criticized Hitler's anti-Semitic policies. He stated "we must confess our faith in our Führer, for there is just one Führer: Jesus Christ." In general, it seems he put his faith above fascism/Nazism, especially when it seemed the Nazis were trying to suppress the Church in Germany. Naturally, this meant the Nazis were not happy with him.
Now Hudal, on the other hand, was something else. He spoke out about "the Semitic Race" like a typical Nazi, he hated Bolshevism, and he helped Nazi and Ustashe war criminals evade justice. He had some differences with the Nazis, namely regarding the role the Church would play in the future, clashing with the likes of Rosenberg, but overall, he was A-okay with their ideas, even as they were repressing the Church back home. He seems to have put ideology over faith.
So, what if Hudal somehow gets elected Pope? Let's say he understood that being open about his beliefs wouldn't improve his chances on getting the job, so he presents himself as moderate/apolitical, only to show his true colors once elected. To my knowledge, the Pope is considered infallible and his word is absolute within the Church, so he can't be ousted or anything like that, meaning he's here to stay. Hitler (and Mussolini too, I think) don't like Christianity, but in this scenario they see that playing nice could be very useful. They say all the right words ("The Catholic Church will be an integral part of the Thousand-Year Reich!") to get him on side - not hard to do, since he already thinks much like they do. He is convinced that they're sincere, and decides to provide all the support he reasonably can.
The Vatican is officially neutral, so he has no intention of sending Swiss Guards to help with the war effort (not that they would make a difference anyway) - instead, he basically runs interference and provides "moral" support. Persecution of Jews is, at best, ignored. Catholic priests trying to take a stand against Hitler and the Moose are reprimanded and threatened with excommunication. When the war begins, Hudal turns a blind eye to the abuses the Poles have to endure, or even outright justifies German actions as fighting partisans or something. As the Reich scores more victories, Hudal grows more confident, with vague allusions to "enemies of Christianity" growing ever more frequent and vivid. Once France has fallen, he is convinced that the Axis will win, and the quick conquest of Yugoslavia and Greece only reaffirms his belief. On the day of Barbarossa, he throws all caution out the window and openly declares his support for the "Great Crusade against Godless Bolshevism", urging all able-bodied men to join the fight. Presumably, when the war goes sideways, he'll start to backtrack.
1. How much of an effect will this have on the war effort? I'm guessing there will be more support in Catholic countries (obviously except those countries that got thrown under the bus like Poland), though I don't think it will tip the scales. Iron Curtain might end up farther East, but victory is still out of reach.
2. How is the Catholic Church affected in the aftermath? I would expect there to be a lot more disillusion with it. Poland would probably hate them and sever ties, establishing some independent Church instead. The Soviets would be out for blood, but they won't get to Rome in time by a long shot, so they might demand that the Allies put Hudal on trial, as his words were tantamount to a declaration of war.
3. Fate of the Vatican and Holy See? Maybe if people are angry enough, Italy can abrogate the Lateran treaty and re-annex the Vatican, and the Holy See might lose it's sovereignty, instead having to function like all other churches. Not very likely though.
4. Hudal himself. Is he put on trial? Imprisoned? Hanged?