Ananova:

The Reverend Billy Graham has given his backing to Mel Gibson's controversial film about the last hours of Jesus.

The Passion Of Christ, a graphic depiction of the crucifixion of Christ performed in Hebrew, Latin and Aramaic with subtitles, has been blasted by Jewish leaders who claim it is anti-semitic.

However, US evangelist Graham, 85, defended the film. He said he was "moved to tears" after a private screening with Gibson, reports Teletext.

"The film is faithful to the Bible's teaching that we are all responsible for Jesus's death, because we have all sinned," he said in a statement.

Vatican officials have asked Gibson for a copy of the film for a conference on theology in cinema so they can form their "own serene and detached opinion".