Pastor John Hagee, the head of the Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and also backer of Senator John McCain, expressed his apologies towards Catholics, regarding the comments that he made in February.

According to the New York Times, he issued a letter expressing his regrets for “any comments that Catholics have found hurtful.”

In his book “Jerusalem Countdown,” Hagee accused the Vatican of collaborating with Hitler in the Holocaust. In addition, some critics have interpreted Hagee’s references to “the great whore” prophesied in the Book of Revelation as defamation on the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. McCain said Tuesday that he had no involvement in Hagee’s action, but that he found it a laudable thing. He also said at the time the comments were made that, although he appreciated Hagee’s support, he condemned his remarks.

In his letter, Hagee said he had gained a better understanding in recent weeks of the Catholic Church's relationship to the Jewish faith.

“In my zeal to oppose anti-Semitism and bigotry in all its ugly forms I have often emphasized the darkest chapters in the history of Catholic and Protestant relations with the Jews. In the process, I may have contributed to the mistaken impression that the anti-Jewish violence of the Crusades and the Inquisition defines the Catholic Church. It does not,” said Hagee, as the Times reported.

The pastor’s apology letter, dated May 12, was addressed to William Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Civil and Religious Rights, who drew attention to Mr. Hagee’s remarks after he endorsed Mr. McCain in February.

Donohue accepted the apology, saying that it “takes a lot of courage to do something like that.”

McCain sought Hagee's support to win over evangelicals. But his campaign was caught off guard by the controversial comments Hagee has made about the Roman Catholic Church.