The Vatican apologizes for its silence during the Holocaust. Feb. 4, 1998

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http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion/jan-june00/apology_3-13.html

JIM LEHRER: There was an extraordinary event in Rome yesterday as Pope John Paul II issued an apology for errors of his church over the last 2000 years. Our coverage begins with a report from Peter Morgan of Independent Television News.

PETER MORGAN: The pope's "Day of Pardon" mass was designed, in the Vatican's words, to ask forgiveness for the past and present sins of the Church. Pope John Paul wants Catholics to reexamine their consciences in the new millennium. His homily did not single out specific periods or groups in history but a plea to forgive the use of violence in the service of truth was a subtle reference to the brutal excesses of the Crusades and the Inquisition. Cardinal Edward Cassidy talked of the people of Israel, asking questions to acknowledge the sins committed against Jews. There was no specific reference to the Holocaust, and when the pope replied, the effect of Parkinson's Disease was evident in every word and gesture.

POPE JOHN PAUL II: (translated) We are deeply saddened by the behavior of those who in the course of history have caused these children of yours to suffer, and asking your forgiveness we wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of the Covenant.

PETER MORGAN: The pope has made reconciliation between Catholics and Jews a key feature of his papacy. Jewish leaders hope John Paul will say more when he visits Israel later this month.

MEIR LAU, Chief Rabbi, Israel: I'm a little bit disappointed because mentioning the Inquisition, which was in Spain in 1492, speaking about a crime of 500 years ago and not a crime of 50 years ago, I wait for the second chapter on the forgiveness.