VATICAN CITY — The Vatican sought Wednesday to quell its latest public dispute with Jewish groups, saying the pope’s decision to move Pope Pius XII closer to sainthood isn’t an act of hostility against those who say he failed to sufficiently denounce the Holocaust.
The Vatican issued a statement saying the German-born Pope Benedict XVI feels great respect for and friendship toward Jews - a sentiment he hopes to reinforce during his first visit to Rome’s synagogue next month.
Benedict sparked renewedire among some Jewish groups Saturday by signing a decree on Pius’ heroic virtues, paving the way for him to be beatified once a miracle attributed to his intercession is confirmed.
Some Jews and historians have argued Pius, pope from 1939-1958, should have done more to prevent the deaths of 6 million Jews at the hands of the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II.
The Vatican insists that Pius used quiet diplomacy to try to save Jews and that speaking out more forcefully would have resulted in more deaths.
Front Section, Pages 6 on 12/24/2009