Pope denounces Holocaust, ends Holy Land pilgrimage

By Douglas Hamilton

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Pope Benedict forcefully denounced the Holocaust on Friday, telling Israelis that the brutal extermination of Jews by the "godless" Nazi regime would never be forgotten or denied.

His language appeared to lift Jewish disappointment over earlier remarks about the murder of six million Jews by his fellow Germans, which to Israelis had sounded cold and distant.

His words were welcomed by Holocaust memorial chairman Avner Shalev who said they "strengthen the pope's message to the world about the importance of remembering the events of the Holocaust" and who rated the visit a "very positive and significant event."

Ending a Holy Land pilgrimage which he said made "powerful impressions" of hope and sadness, the 82-year-old pontiff also appealed for peace between Israelis and Palestinians so each can live in their own state, as trustful neighbors in security.

"One of the saddest sights for me during my visit to these lands was the wall," he said of the high barrier that Israel erected between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, the Palestinian town that Christians believe was the birthplace of Jesus.

"As I passed alongside it, I prayed for a future in which the peoples of the Holy Land can live together in peace and harmony without the need for such instruments of security and separation," the pope said on departure at the airport.

His visit had been awaited with hope in the Middle East, where peace-making efforts have stalled. In January, it was in doubt as relations with Israel plunged over Benedict's decision to readmit to the Church a bishop who had denied the extent of the Holocaust, one of a number of issues to anger Jews.

Israelis hoping for an apology had voiced disappointment at the speech the pope made at the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem.