News, Pope Defends Pius Against Jewish Critics. (leader, world, community)

[JD59]

In a synagogue visit haunted by history, Pope Benedict XVI and Jewish leaders sparred Sunday over the record of the World War II-era pope during the Holocaust and agreed on the need to strengthen Catholic-Jewish relations.

Both sides said the visit to the seat of the oldest Jewish community in the diaspora was an occasion to overcome what Benedict called "every misconception and prejudice."

Pope Defends Pius Against Jewish Critics - ABC News