Pope Francis exchanges season’s greetings with the Chief Rabbi

Riccardo Di Segni and Pope Francis.

In a telegraph Pope Francis sent his “most cordial wishes for peace” to the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, “and to all the Roman Jewish community” for Passover (Pesach), which was observed from April 15 to 22, 2014.

In it he expressed his wish that “the memory of liberation from oppression by the Lord’s mighty arm might inspire thoughts of mercy, reconciliation and fraternal closeness toward all who suffer under the weight of new forms of slavery.”

Expressing his “joy” at the prospect of visiting Jerusalem soon (May 24-26, 2014), the Pope also asked Jews to “accompany him with their prayers” and invoked “abundant blessings” upon them.

In his response dated April 17, the Chief Rabbi of Rome thanks the Pope for his good wishes and explains that the honor that would be paid very soon [Sunday, April 27] to the “two great popes who changed the history of the Church’s relations with Judaism” is a “sign of hope for all”.  Finally, with reference to the Pope’s journey to the Holy Land, Riccardo Di Segni concludes with the hope that “our prayer might contribute significantly to political and religious peace”.

(Sources:  apic/imedia/comunita ebraica – DICI no. 296 dated May 16, 2014)

You can also read :
“A Pope, a Sheikh and a Rabbi”