Rome - The World Jewish Congress on Wednesday praised last weeks trip by Pope Benedict XVI to Israel, calling the visit a "milestone" for understanding between Christians and Jews.

The umbrella organization for Jewish communities around the world made the statement after talks in Rome with the Vatican's Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone on the state of Catholic-Jewish relations.

In January of this year, Benedict came in for fierce criticism for his decision to rescind the excommunication of a Holocaust-denying bishop, Richard Williamson.

The Vatican later said Williamson, who was not excommunicated for Holocaust denial, could not be accepted back into the mainstream Catholic Church unless he renounced his views on the subject.

Cardinal Bertone confirmed this stance Wednesday, saying that there was no place in the Church for Holocaust deniers.

The pope in a visit to the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial Centre in Jerusalem, issued a clear denunciation of Holocaust denial.

Headquartered in New York City, the WJC represents Jewish communities and organizations in 92 countries.(dpa)