The Pope Praises the Passion

It is as it was, were the words uttered by the latest critic of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Chris. These words did not come from respected film critics, Roger Ebert or Peter Travers, but from Pope John Paul II.

After requesting a special screening of Gibson's film, which depicts the final hours of the life of Jesus Christ, the Pope viewed the film and then praised its biblical authenticity. The National Catholic Reporter's veteran Vatican correspondent, John L. Allen Jr., reports the pontiff's, "it is as it was," quote meaning that the Pope regards the film as a faithful depiction of the New Testament's account of the suffering and death of Jesus Christ.

This approval comes shortly after a negative backlash from the Jewish community. Complaints that the Jews' role in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was wrongfully depicted have led to accusations that the film, which is co-written and directed by Gibson, is anti-Semitic. Because of this controversy, major production companies are leery of backing a film that Gibson has solely funded using $25 million of his personal finances.

Gibson strongly denies the claim that The Passion, which stars Jim Caviezel as Jesus Christ, is an attack against the Jews. Even though Gibson is a follower of Traditionalist Catholicism, he has held screenings for other denominations to make sure his film is an accurate depiction of the events. Other prominent religious officials and figures, like the Reverend Billy Graham, have praised the film and rejected the anti-Semitic complaints made by some Jewish leaders.

Icon Productions, Gibson's film company that produced his Academy Award winning film, Braveheart, still holds the rights of the film. Even with the Vatican support, Jewish critics still demand script changes before the United States premiere on February 25, 2004, which is ironically, Ash Wednesday.