Susan Sarandon

Susan Sarandon is in hot water after calling Pope Benedict XVI a Nazi, Newsday reports.

At the Hamptons Film Festival over the weekend, Sarandon discussed her 1995 film Dead Man Walking, based Sister Helen Prejean’s anti-death penalty book, a copy of which the Oscar-winning actress sent to the Pope.

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“[I sent the book to] the last one, not this Nazi one we have now,” Sarandon said of Pope Benedict XVI, who is known to have been enlisted in the Hitler Youth while growing up in Germany. Interviewer Bob Balaban chided the actress for her remark, which she then reportedly repeated.

The Catholic League is now sounding off against the actress, calling her remark “obscene.” “Susan Sarandon’s ignorance is willful: those who have hatred in their veins are not interested in the truth,” said Catholic League President Bill Donohue in a statement. “The fact is that Joseph Ratzinger (the Pope) was conscripted at the age of 14 into the Hitler Youth, along with every other young German boy. Unlike most of the other teenagers, Ratzinger refused to go to meetings, bringing economic hardship to his family. Moreover, unlike most of the others, he deserted at the first opportunity.”

What do you think of Sarandon’s comment?

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