Pope John Paul II gave a strong but qualified indication that the Vatican may ask forgiveness for the Inquisition. The pope said Saturday that the Inquisition belonged to a “tormented” phase of church history, and he noted that he had already called upon the faithful to reflect deeply and sincerely on this past. But, he added, “Only when historical science has managed to establish the true facts can theologians and ecclesiastical authorities express an objectively-based judgment.” The Inquisition was set up in the 13th century as a permanent tribunal charged with rooting out and combating heresy.
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