Pope Sends Message of Friendship to Rabbi Toaff on 95th Birthday

(04 May 10 – RV) Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message to the former Chief Rabbi of Rome, Rabbi Elio Toaff, on the occasion of his 95th Birthday. The message was read publically during opening ceremony of the Elio Toaff Foundation for Jewish Culture by Msgr Georg Gänswein, Pope Benedict XVI’s private secretary.

In the message dated May 3rd, the Pope writes that in thinking of the Rabbi, "the words of the Psalm come to mind; of how the Lord restored your soul, leading you along the right path, even through the darkest valley, at the time of the persecution and extermination of the Jewish People. The Lord, in His mysterious plans, wished you to have a unique experience of His salvation, becoming a sign of hope for the rebirth of many of your brothers and sisters".

"I am particularly happy to recall", the Pope adds, "your commitment to promoting fraternal relations between Catholics and Jews, and the sincere friendship that bound you to my venerated predecessor Pope John Paul II".
Although Rabbi Toaff retired as Chief Rabbi in 2001, he remains one of Italy's most prominent and respected Jewish figures. His birthday was on April 30.
Rabbi Toaff, a Livorno native, fought with the anti-fascist resistance during World War II and became chief rabbi of Rome in 1951. In 1986 he embraced Pope John Paul II at Rome's main synagogue on the historic first visit to a synagogue by a Pope. He was also on hand at the synagogue last January to greet Pope Benedict XVI on his visit there.