I just returned from seeing The Passion of the Christ, I figured there's no more apt day than today. A stunning movie. I have to give Mel Gibson credit for even attempting this movie. I further give him credit for making a movie that was excellent on all levels. I do not hate Jews for what Caiphus did, because he believed Jesus to be a blasphemer. What if the Messiah came today? What would the reaction of people be? I disagree with what was said by numerous groups or publications, from the Simon Weisenthal Center to the various newspapers. I believe this movie was written according to Christian writings and gospel.

Update: The Pope has these words:

At the pope's "Passion" service, a prayer for brotherhood with Jews was read, just days after the Italian premier of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" revived fears of an anti-Semitic backlash.

"We pray for Jews. May our God, who chose them before all other people to accept his word, help them always move forward in the love of his name and faithfulness to his covenant," a priest said in Portuguese.

Up until 1960s, the Roman Catholic Church's Good Friday services included a prayer that spoke of "perfidious jews," a reference that was banned after the Second Vatican Council.

The Council also repudiated the idea of collective Jewish guilt for Christ's death. Since then relations between Catholics and Jews have made great strides.

Friday's prayer did not appear to be a direct response to fears that Gibson's film could spark fresh anti-Semitism, but it took on greater significance given the heated debate.

The pope also heard confessions of 11 faithful chosen at random from people in the basilica.