Considering the intended audience is the Pali people, saying bad things about their deceased leader would not be very smart. The Pope always, always wants to build bridges.
SD
I agree that however misguided the Palestinian people are, that it is proper to show some degree of sympathy for them. However, that in itself is a lost opportunity. The Palestinian put their hope and faith in a murderer and terrorist who loathed christians as much as jews.
But for the Pope or Chirac or Katie Couric to grieve for this man, is nothing more than moral cowardice. It is right for him to be judged on earth as surely as he will be judged before God. As such, the Pope and his surrogates should have remained silent on the passing of evil personified. I do not grieve for this man, nor should any jew or christian.