VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI moved two of his predecessors closer to possible sainthood Saturday, signing decrees on the virtues of the beloved Pope John Paul II and Pope Pius XII, who has been criticized for not doing enough to stop the Holocaust.

The decrees mean that both men can be beatified once the Vatican certifies that a miracle attributed to their intercession has occurred. Beatification is the first major step before possible sainthood.

Some historians and Jewish groups have argued Pius should have done more to prevent the deaths of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators, but the Vatican insists Pius used quiet diplomacy to try to save Jews.

The German-born Benedict's approval of a decree about his "heroic virtues" is certain to set off a new round of criticism from Jewish organizations.

In contrast, John Paul is admired by Jews. During his 27-year pontificate he forged diplomatic ties with Israel, prayed at the Western Wall, Judaism's holiest site, and was the first pope in history to visit a synagogue.