Pope moves wartime pontiff closer to sainthood

Pope Benedict XVI moved controversial wartime pontiff Pius XII closer to sainthood by declaring him "venerable" in a surprise announcement on Saturday, provoking the ire of Jewish leaders.

The pontiff simultaneously bestowed the same title on his beloved predecessor John Paul II and paved the way for the beatification of Jerzy Popieluszko, the activist priest who helped bring down Poland's communist regime.

The triple announcement by the German-born pope "took everyone by surprise," Vatican expert Bruno Bartoloni told AFP, adding: "There will certainly be negative reactions" from the Jewish community.

The head of Germany's Central Jewish Council, Stephan Kramer, told AFP in Berlin that Benedict was "rewriting history."

"This is a clear hijacking of historical facts concerning the Nazi era. Benedict XVI rewrites history without having allowed a serious scientific discussion. That's what makes me furious," he said.

Italian Jewish leaders said they were still awaiting access to the Vatican's archives so that they could make an accurate historical assessment of Pius XII, who is accused of not having done enough to save Europe's Jews from the Nazis.

"We do not forget the deportations of Jews from Italy and in particular the train that deported 1,021 people on October 16, 1943, which left Rome's Tiburtina station for Auschwitz to the silence of Pius XII," said a statement.

Another veteran Vatican watcher, John Allen, said that announcing the decree on Pius XII simultaneously with the other two reflected "a kind of strategy of taking the sting out of it."

The title of "venerable" is a necessary step on the way to beatification and eventual sainthood.

John Paul II's former personal secretary Stanislaw Dziwisz hailed the decision, saying: "It is a great joy that all our work has led to success."

Now archbishop of Krakow, he added: "John Paul II knew how to overcome every barrier, he brought people together. He built bridges between peoples and religions."

'Fast-track campaign'

The process for Pius XII has been a source of tension with Jewish groups, due to the view among many historians that he remained passive while Nazi Germany killed millions of Jews.

Benedict -- who was himself at the centre of controversy over his past membership of the Hitler Youth -- has publicly defended Pius XII.

"The debate is not about what he did but what he should have done," said Allen, adding: "There are some people who would still say he showed heroic fidelity and charity in difficult circumstances."

While Bartolini said it was "not unlikely" that Pius XII and John Paul II would be beatified at the same time, Allen disagreed saying: "John Paul II's beatification is more of a slam dunk."

Still, the Polish pope's sainthood dossier has been criticized as a "fast-track" campaign to answer the prayers of millions who adored the Polish pope, who headed the Roman Catholic Church for nearly three decades.

Benedict launched the lengthy process -- which can take decades if not centuries -- just two months after the death in 2005 of John Paul II, whose funeral was marked by calls of "Santo Subito" (Saint Now).

The final stage for beatification is providing evidence of a miracle, usually a medical cure with no scientific explanation which is reviewed by several commissions.

In John Paul II's case, the miracle under consideration -- and subject to another papal decree -- involves a French nun who was cured of Parkinson's disease in 2005.

Vatican watchers expect Benedict to approve the beatification, which could be celebrated next year, either on the April 2 anniversary of John Paul II's death or in October on the anniversary of the start of his papacy in 1978.

Popieluszko's beatification dossier does not require evidence of a miracle because he is considered a martyr.