Pope to visit Rome’s main synagogue

( Jan.13,2010): Pope Benedict XVI hopes that his visit to Rome’s main synagogue this Sunday, January 17^th, is another step forward in the irrevocable path of harmony and friendship between Jews and Christians. The Pope’s message and his wishes for the New Year, were sent on Tuesday in a telegram signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarciscio Bertone to Rome’s Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni in response to his good wishes for Christmas.
Rabbi Di Segni told Catholic News Service in his office on Tuesday that Pope Benedict’s visit is important first of all as a symbolic continuation of the gesture made by Pope John Paul II, who was the first Pope to set foot in a synagogue in 19 centuries. “Visiting the synagogue, 23 years after Pope John Paul II did is important because it is saying that the journey undertaken has not been interrupted, but will move forward,” said Rome’s chief Rabbi. “Times have changed; many things have been achieved; other things still need to be done, The path, the Jewish-Catholic encounter, is terribly complicated. It is not a smooth road leading onward, but one continually filled with stumbling blocks. The visit of a Pope to the synagogue should demonstrate that beyond the stumbling blocks, there is a substantial desire to communicate with each other and resolve problems,” said Rome’s chief Rabbi.