Pope does not judge films, says Vatican
It declared that John Paul "does not make public judgements on artistic works".
It was the Vatican's first official statement on the issue after weeks of silence and came just days after John Paul's long-time secretary sought to put the controversy to rest, denying reports the pope ever gave the thumbs-up to the film by saying: "It is as it was".
The statement also marked a reversal by the pope's official spokesman, Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who for weeks had been saying his office never comments on the private activities of the pope.
It was a further sign of uneasiness that the Vatican had been depicted as endorsing a film, on the last hours of Jesus' life, that some say will fuel anti-Semitism.
The film is scheduled to open on February 25 Ash Wednesday.
"After consultation with the Holy Father's personal secretary, Archbishop Stanislaw Dziwisz, I can confirm that the pope has had the opportunity to see the film, The Passion of the Christ. The film is the cinematographic recounting of the historical fact of the passion of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel accounts," Mr Navarro-Valls said.
"It is the Holy Father's custom not to express public judgements on artistic works, judgements which are always open to diverse evaluations of aesthetic nature."
John Paul was said to have given his approval after a screening in his apartment in early December, according to reports attributed to the filmmakers.
But Mr Dziwisz, secretary to John Paul, said Tuesday he told the producers the pope "did not make any judgement. He said nothing of the kind".
Devout Catholic Gibson has defended his work as faithful to the Gospels. He said it is intended to "inspire, not offend". Alan Nierob, a spokesman for Icon Productions, Gibson's company, said on Tuesday he believed the pope had endorsed the film.
