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Vatican Defends Status of WWII Pope

RACHEL DONADIO The New York Times 12/23/2009
Benedict XVI Defends Nazi-Era Pope Pius XII, Says Vatican Helped Jews During War

Pope Benedict XVI said the Vatican helped protect Jews from persecution in a “hidden and discreet way,” defending World War II pontiff Pius XII during his first visit to Rome’s synagogue.

Vatican Defends Status of WWII Pope

ROME — In an effort to calm growing tensions with Jewish groups, the Vatican said Wednesday that Pope Benedict XVI’s decision moving the wartime pope Pius XII closer to sainthood was not a “hostile act” against those who believe Pius did not do enough to stop the Holocaust.