Pope John Paul II welcomed last week to the Vatican Jona Metzgher and Slomo Amar, chief rabbis of Israel and Oded Wiener, director general of the Chief Rabbinate, who were in Rome to attend the Concert of Reconciliation that was be performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
The pope noted that “in the twenty-five years of my pontificate I have striven to promote Jewish-Catholic dialogue and to foster ever greater understanding, respect and cooperation between us. Indeed, one of the highlights of my pontificate will always remain my Jubilee Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which included intense moments of remembrance, reflection and prayer at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and at the Wailing Wall.”
He added that “the official dialogue established between the Catholic Church and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel is a sign of great hope. We must spare no effort in working together to build a world of justice, peace and reconciliation for all peoples. May Divine Providence bless our work and crown it with success!”
