JERUSALEM — Pope Benedict XVI, trying to quell Jewish anger over a Holocaust-denying bishop, bowed in silence Monday at Israel's memorial to Jews exterminated during World War II and declared that their suffering must "never be denied, belittled or forgotten."
"They lost their lives, but they will never lose their names," the Roman Catholic leader said in a quivering voice before clasping the hands of six Holocaust survivors at a haunting ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance. "These are indelibly etched in the hearts of their loved ones, their surviving fellow prisoners, and all those determined never to allow such an atrocity to disgrace mankind again.
"As we stand here in silence, their cry still echoes in our hearts," he added.
Jewish leaders gave the speech a tepid response, calling it a welcome affirmation of historical memory that nonetheless avoided questions of responsibility for the Holocaust or reflections on the pope's own German origin and his involuntary service in the Hitler Youth.
Some faulted him for not delving explicitly into the issue that has strained the Vatican's ties with Jews: his decision to lift the excommunication of an English bishop, Richard Williamson, who denies the scope of the Nazi slaughter of 6 million European Jews.
Benedict's fence-mending effort came at the start of a five-day visit to Israel and the West Bank, part of a pilgrimage aimed at contributing to Middle East peace and setting his church's relations with Jews and Muslims on a new path.
Rather than tread softly with his Israeli hosts, Benedict reaffirmed the Vatican's support for an independent Palestinian homeland alongside Israel, putting himself at odds with the new prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has resisted promising the Palestinians a state.
Speaking in Netanyahu's presence minutes after arriving from Jordan, he said the "hopes of countless men, women and children for a more secure and stable future" depend on a peace agreement.
Israeli officials played down the possibility of a rift, saying the pope's visit was not political. But Benedict's appeal added to international pressure on Netanyahu, who is expected to hear a similar message from President Obama when he visits the White House next week.
Benedict got a sample of the region's explosive tension Monday night. A Palestinian Muslim cleric, Taysir Tamimi, seized the microphone at an interfaith gathering and gave an unscheduled speech lashing out at Israel's recent military assault in the Gaza Strip and its occupation of the West Bank.
