ABC NEWS
Emily Bourke reported this story
on Monday, January 18, 2010 08:18:00
ELEANOR HALL: Overnight in Rome, an Italian Jewish leader confronted the Pope and told him that the Vatican should have spoken out more forcefully during the Holocaust.
But Pope Benedict defended the Vatican's wartime actions saying the Holy See worked quietly to save Jews from extermination by the Nazis.
Emily Bourke reports.
EMILY BOURKE: Pope Benedict's landmark visit to Rome's main Synagogue provided another chance heal the wounds caused by the wartime actions of the Vatican.
Vatican Spokesman, Reverend Federico Lombardi.
FEDERICO LOMBARDI: We are very happy of this invitation by the Jewish community of Rome and in this occasion the Pope will demonstrate the continuity with the past visit of John Paul II to the synagogue 24 years ago.
And this is a confirmation of an important way of harmony, of dialogue, for the peace and for the harmony in our society.
EMILY BOURKE: While one Jewish community leader praised Catholics who sheltered Jews from the Nazis, he said that the "silence" of Pope Pius "still hurts as a failed act".
Pope Benedict defended the Vatican's actions in the face of the Holocaust, saying it used quiet diplomacy to save lives. He also apologized for Christian responsibility for anti-Semitism.
POPE BENEDICT XVI (translated): Despite the problems and the difficulties between the believers of these two faiths there is a climate of great respect and dialogue, a testimony to how the relationship has grown and to the common commitment to value that unites us.
EMILY BOURKE: While 15 Holocaust survivors attended the ceremony, others boycotted it, saying they were angry over the steps taken to advance Pope Pius's beatification and possible sainthood.
The Jewish community remains deeply split since Pope Benedict signed a decree last month praising the wartime pontiff for his heroic virtues.
ELEANOR HALL: Emily Bourke reporting.
