Why did Pius XII avoid condemning Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939?

Pope Pius XII did not condemn the 1939 invasion of Poland because he sought to maintain the impartiality of the Holy See in order to serve as a mediator between nations.1

Trained as a diplomat, Pius XII aimed to avoid antagonizing fascist Italy and Nazi Germany, fearing that a direct condemnation would provoke reprisals and cause greater harm to the church and its followers. He insisted that his position was one of impartiality rather than neutrality, which he distinguished from indifference. By remaining "above the fray," he hoped to preserve his ability to influence the conflict and protect Catholic interests.1

While his defenders argue that this cautious approach was intended to prevent further suffering, critics have viewed his silence as a sign of indifference to the aggression and the subsequent atrocities of the war. Ultimately, Pius XII prioritized a diplomatic strategy of survival, believing that bold public denunciations would jeopardize the future of the church and those subject to Nazi terror.12