A top Vatican official is endorsing director Mel Gibson's controversial film about Jesus' crucifixion.

Video

Preview: 'The Passion Of The Christ'

Archbishop Patrick Foley, who heads the Pontifical Council of Social Communication, told The Associated Press that he found "The Passion of the Christ" to be "very moving, very touching" and "a real meditation."

The film has been been endorsed by the likes of the Rev. Billy Graham, but has continually been under fire from Jewish leaders.

Anti-Defamation League National Director Abraham Foxman said in August that he's concerned the film will "fuel hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism" by reinforcing a belief that Jews were guilty for Jesus' death.

Foley, on the other hand, said he didn't find the movie to be anti-Semitic. He noted that while some Jews wanted Jesus killed, "Jesus was Jewish, his mother was Jewish, all his apostles were Jewish."

The archbishop added that while the film is violent, he believes that "the violence helps to bring home the suffering of Jesus for our sins."

"The Passion of Christ" graphically portrays the last 12 hours of Christ's life as depicted in the New Testament.

It stars James Caviezel ("Angel Eyes") as Jesus Christ, Monica Bellucci ("The Matrix Reloaded") as Mary Magdalene, and Romanian actress Maia Morgenstern as the Virgin Mary.

Caviezel tells reporters that he doesn't think the film will fan flames of anti-Semitism.

Caviezel said he "didn't go into this movie to say, 'hey, I'm going to make an anti-Semitic film."' He added that the movie "does not play the blame-game by any means" and "like in all humanity, it's all there. There are good people, bad people, indifferent people."

Caviezel, like Gibson, is Catholic. He said as a Catholic "it is a mortal sin to be anti-Semitic. It's a mortal sin to be racist."

It will be released Feb. 25, which is Ash Wednesday on the Christian calendar.