Pope Benedict recalls tragedy of Holocaust

Pope Benedict recalled the deaths of "tens of millions of people" at an open air Mass held in Viterbo, Italy to mark the 70th anniversary of the start of the Second World War.

"We cannot forget the major events that took place during one of the most terrible conflicts in history, that left tens of millions dead and provoked so much suffering for our beloved Polish people," he said.

"It was conflict that saw the tragedy of the Holocaust and the extermination of so many other innocents."

On Sunday, the Holy Father also addressed his remarks on the war in a message to an international gathering in Krakow, Poland, organized by the Catholic diocese of Krakow with the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Tomorrow morning, September 8, there will be a Silent March to the gas chambers of the concentration camp at Birkenau and a Memorial Ceremony at the International Monument to the Victims of Nazi-fascism. In the afternoon, there will be a Peace Procession through the town.

Source: Fides