VATICAN/AP

Pope Pius XII, accused by some of remaining largely silent in the face of the Holocaust, has taken another step toward possible sainthood, Vatican officials said Wednesday. A panel of bishops and cardinals at the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved a declaration on Pius' virtues Tuesday, passing the dossier to Pope Benedict XVI. Pius, who reigned from 1939 to 1958 and was a Vatican diplomat in Germany, has been criticized by some for not doing enough to save Jews from the Holocaust. His supporters say he made every effort to help Jews and other victims through quiet diplomacy.( AP/10.05.2007)