Pope Loves Mel Gibson's Film

NewsMax.com ^ | 12/17/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

"It is as it was."

This, Peggy Noonan reports in the Opinion Journal, was the Pope's comment to his good friend Msgr. Stanislaw Dziwisz after watching "The Passion of Christ," Mel Gibson's much-maligned film.

In other words, the Holy Father feels that Mel Gibson's film accurately shows how events unfolded in the last days of Christ on Earth.

The Vatican has had no official comment on the movie, but Noonan in her latest column tells us that "John Paul II, who even with the challenges of his current illness has more good sense than many of his cardinals, knew of the controversy surrounding Mr. Gibson's film, and wanted to see it."

When he did, he approved wholeheartedly of Gibson's rendering.

Producer Steve McEveety laughingly told Noonan that the pontiff saw the film "At the pope's pad," i.e., the papal apartments. "He had to watch it late in the evening," Mr. McEveety said of John Paul. "He's pretty well booked. But he really wanted to see it."

Noonan writes that the Msgr. told McEveety that John Paul II "found ["The Passion"] very powerful, and approved of it."

"I was kind of relieved – it's a scary thing," Mr. McEveety told Noonan. "But Billy Graham saw it and was very supportive, and now JPII. The amazing thing is they're in agreement on the film."

Noonan writes that the pope, in supporting the film and affirming its merits, repudiates those who feel the film, and Gibson, are anti-Semitic.

John Paul II, she writes, has done more for Judeo-Christian relations than any other pope.

This pope would know anti-Semitic, and this film isn't.

Noonan concludes: If the pontiff's feelings end the controversy over the film, it would be a "beautiful gift to everyone this holiday season."

[anonymous_user]

"It is as it was."

My wife asked, "I know he's old, but was he THERE?"

[prairiebreeze]

Good news I think

[randita]

"Anti-Semitism" was just a smokescreen for the real basis for opposition to this film. The possibility that some people will see this film and become Believers is a terrifying prospect for liberals.

[MainFrame65]

"I know he's old, but was he THERE?"

No, but he read the book VERY carefully, and he knows the language.

[Belial]

My wife asked, "I know he's old, but was he THERE?"

He didn't have to be there. According to the dogma, the pope is always correct when speaking on these sort of subjects.

I'm sure that's come in handy over the millenia!

[Mike Darancette]

but was he THERE?

No, but he is in close communication with those who were.

[gipper81]

Your wife sounds like she says a lot of cute things. But, this actually had profound meaning (believe it or not).

[anonymous_user]

No, but he is in close communication with those who were.

Touche! :)

[the artisan]

No, but he is in close communication with those who were.

so is every true believer, but that doesn't mean we all know what happened or for that matter the pope!

[Mike Darancette]

but that doesn't mean we all know what happened or for that matter the pope!

But if I had to believe someone John Paul, II would be one of my go to guys in matters such as this.

[Flying Circus]

Buzz off, bigot. The dogma of papal infallibility does not apply.

[mtbopfuyn]

If the pontiff's feelings end the controversy over the film, it would be a "beautiful gift to everyone this holiday season."

About time this controversy ended. All that fuss over something no one had seen and now JPII gives it his seal of approval. Lol, that's rich.

[the artisan]

no not necessarily, what about pastors and theologians, they have studied the life of Christ and believe it more than anyone

[diggerwillow]

There is no doubt the liberals will say the timing of this movie release will be very suspicious.

[Mike Darancette]

Of, course there are others. But they do not work for the NY Times.

[isom35]

Are we sure the Pope wasn't watching Road Warrior?

[solitas]

ROFL!