Pope offers 95th birthday greetings to retired chief rabbi of Rome

(May, 05, 2010) In a handwritten message, Pope Benedict XVI offered birthday greetings to the 95-year-old retired chief rabbi of Rome, Elio Toaff, particularly praising his efforts to promote Catholic-Jewish dialogue. "I want to join those who rejoice with you over the gifts that the Almighty's mercy has lavished on you during a long and fruitful existence," the Pope wrote in the message to Rabbi Elio Toaff, who served as Rome's chief rabbi from 1951 to 2001.
The Pope's personal secretary, Msgr. Georg Ganswein, read the message on Monday during a public celebration of the rabbi's birthday attended by religious, civic and government leaders. Drawing on Psalm 23, the Pope said the rabbi's life story and work showed that God did refresh the rabbi's soul, guiding him along the right path, even in the darkest valley, at the hour of the persecution and extermination of the Jewish people. Pope Benedict also told the rabbi “I wanted to remember your commitment to promoting fraternal relations between Catholics and Jews and the sincere friendship that tied you to my venerated predecessor, Pope John Paul II."
The Pope said his wish for the rabbi would be the fulfilment of the ending of Psalm 23: "'Only goodness and love will pursue me all the days of my life; I will dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.' Shalom!"