Pope John Paul II was given an advance viewing of what is set to
be one of the most controversial films of 2004, Mel Gibson’s story
about the last hours of Jesus, and declared: “It is as it was,” a
British newspaper reported recently, quoting Vatican insiders.
Officials said the verdict showed the pope considered the film,
entitled The Passion of Christ, to be a faithful depiction of the
suffering and death of Christ as described in the New Testament,
according to The Daily Telegraph.
The film’s producer, Steve McEveety, personally delivered a copy
of the film to the pope earlier this month.
“He is pretty well booked but he really wanted to see it,” the
daily quoted McEveety as saying.
Gibson directed the film, scheduled for general release on
February 24, which is Ash Wednesday or the start of the Easter
commemoration in the western Christian churches.
The film has already caused consternation amongst religious
groups.
In the United States, the Jewish Anti-Defamation League, has
stated that by its portrayal of the Jews as the killers of Jesus,
the movie could fuel “hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism”.
The Roman Catholic church is concerned the film could harm its
attempts to improve relations with the Jewish community.
The movie is told in Latin and Aramaic, the language Jesus
spoke.