The Vatican has said that the pope did not now know that Williamson was a Holocaust denier when he lifted his excommunication on Jan.24.

VOA: standard.2009.03.12

On January 24, Pope Benedict lifted the excommunication of British-born Richard Williamson and three other bishops to try to heal a 20-year-old rift that began when they were thrown out of the Church for being ordained without the permission of Pope John Paul II.

VOA: standard.2009.03.12

The Vatican has said that before members of the traditionalist Society of St Pius X, like the four bishops whose excommunication was lifted, can be fully readmitted into the Church it must accept the teachings of the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council which urged respect for other religions.

VOA: standard.2009.03.12