Castel Gandolfo, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday thanked the organizers of a symposium examining role played during World War II by Pius XII - a pope criticized by some for his stance towards the Nazi-led persecution of Jews.

Benedict, referring to Pius as "this noble Pope" said the symposium's work had helped appreciate that pontiff's "human wisdom and pastoral intensity... especially in providing organized assistance to the Jewish people," Benedict said.

The pontiff was addressing participants of the symposium, organized by the Pave the Way Foundation, a US-based group including Jews and Catholics that promotes improved relations between followers of different religions.

Benedict met them at Castel Gandolfo the papal summer residence situated south of Rome.

"Thanks to the vast quantity of documented material which you have gathered, supported by many authoritative testimonies, your symposium offers to the public forum the possibility of knowing more fully what Pius XII achieved for the Jews persecuted by the Nazi and fascist regimes," Benedict said.

Italian-born Pius XII, who reigned from 1939 until his death in 1958, has been accused by some of showing indifference to the Nazi massacre of the Jews and of failing to speak out against Hitler.

But the Vatican and other supporters say he strove to save those persecuted by the Nazis, including opening the doors of monastries, convents and other Church premises to shelter Jews.

Benedict is expected to preside over a Mass commemorating the 50th anniversary of Pius' death on October 9.

Benedict's immediate predecessor John Paul II, stirred controversy during his pontificate, by approving moves for Pius XII's beatification - the first step towards sainthood.

Vatican officials earlier this year reported no progress in the process since since May 2007 when the Roman Catholic Church's saint- making department voted in favour of a decree recognizing Pius's "heroic virtues."