Pius XII to wait for beatification

VATICAN CITY, June 17 (UPI) -- A spokesman for the Vatican said Tuesday that Pope Pius XII, controversial for his wartime failure to speak out on the Nazis, won't be beatified soon.

The Rev. Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, spoke at an event leading up to the 50th anniversary of Pius's death in November, ANSA, the Italian news agency, said.

''The beatifications of Pius XII, as well as John Paul II, remain in the kingdom of the future,'' he said. ''In other words, it is not possible to say with any certainty when they will be celebrated.''

Beatification is the final step before canonization or declaring a saint. Efforts to make Pius a saint began in 1967, nine years after his death. The College of Cardinals voted last year to recognize his "heroic virtues."

Pius's defenders say that he honestly believed he could do more good behind the scenes and that he saved thousands of Jews by arranging for them to be hidden in monasteries, convents and even in the Vatican. His critics, both Jewish and Catholic, say that the Nazis feared the pope's denunciation.

While Pius's path to sainthood has been slow, John Paul II appears to be on the fast track. Pope Benedict XVI allowed him to become a candidate less than five years after his death, waiving the usual rule.