Vatican officials say pope didn't comment after viewing 'The Passion'

Published: 2003-12-24

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although Pope John Paul II watched at least part of Mel Gibson's film, "The Passion of the Christ," he made no comment about the film, said a senior Vatican official close to the pope. "The Holy Father saw it, but he made no comment. He watched in silence," the official told Catholic News Service Dec. 24. "The Holy Father does not comment, does not give judgments on art," the official said. "I repeat: There was no declaration, no judgment from the pope." The official was replying to a request for clarification after numerous newspapers reported that the pope had watched the film and said, "It is as it was." The purported quote was interpreted as papal praise for the movie. The official, who insisted that his name not be used, said the pope made no such comment.

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