VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI moved two of his predecessors closer to possible sainthood Saturday, signing decrees on the virtues of the beloved Pope John Paul II and controversial Pope Pius XII, who has been criticized for not doing enough to stop the Holocaust.
The decrees mean that both men can be beatified once the Vatican certifies that a miracle attributed to their intercession has occurred. Beatification is the first major step before possible sainthood.
Some Jews and historians have argued Pius should have done more to prevent the deaths of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators during World War II. As a result, the German-born Benedict’s surprise decision to recognize Pius’ “heroic virtues” sparked an outcry from Jewish groups.
The Anti-Defamation League and American Jewish Committee said the move was premature, given the Vatican still hasn’t opened up to outside historians its secret archives from Pius’ 1939-58 pontificate. The Vatican says the 16 million files won’t be ready until 2014 at the earliest.
The Vatican insists that Pius used quiet diplomacy to try to save Jews.
In contrast to Pius, John Paul is greatly admired by Jews. During his 27-year pontificate, he forged diplomatic ties with Israel; prayed at the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site; and was the first pope in history to visit a synagogue.
Benedict put John Paul on the fast-track for possible sainthood just weeks after his April 2, 2005, death.
