VATICAN CITY — The Vatican on Thursday sought to calm Jewish anger over the pope's meeting with a prominent Polish priest accused of anti-Semitism, declaring the encounter did not imply any change in the church's desire for good relations with Jews.

The Vatican issued the assurances after Pope Benedict XVI's brief meeting Sunday with the Rev. Tadeusz Rydzyk, which drew protests from worldwide Jewish organizations.

Photos showing the pope at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo with Rydzyk, along with two other Polish priests, were published in Polish newspapers Tuesday.

Vatican officials said the three were brought to the pope, along with other pilgrims, after the pontiff's weekly public blessing Sunday at his summer home.

Rydzyk, who runs a conservative media empire that includes the Catholic station Radio Maryja, was allegedly caught on tape suggesting that Jews are greedy and Polish President Lech Kaczynski is subservient to Jewish lobbyists.

Rydzyk said he "didn't intend to offend anyone."