Israeli ambassador confirms Pope Benedict may wear cross at Western Wall
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Pope Benedict XVI

Rome, Italy, Mar 18, 2009 / 02:13 am (CNA).- Contrary to comments attributed to an Israeli rabbi, Pope Benedict XVI will not be barred from entering the holy area of Jerusalem’s Western Wall while wearing a cross.

On Tuesday the Jerusalem Post quoted Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch, who oversees worship matters at the Western Wall, as saying that the Pope should not wear a cross during his visit to the area.

“It is not fitting to enter the Western Wall area with religious symbols, including a cross,” the rabbi reportedly said, according to SIR.

Mordechay Lewy, Israel’s Ambassador to the Holy See, issued a clarifying statement saying that the Jerusalem Post’s quotation was “misleading.”

Ambassador Lewy said that Israel will “respect, as a matter of course, the religious symbols of the Holy Father and of his entourage, as expected in accordance with rules of hospitality and dignity,” following the same procedure applied in Pope John Paul II’s papal visit to Israel in 2000.

“This was confirmed to a high Official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Jerusalem personally by Rabbi Shmuel Rabinovitch,” the ambassador’s statement continued.

Pope Benedict is scheduled to visit the Western Wall on May 12 as part of his journey to the Holy Land.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: matthew
us 05/13/2009 04:20 AM EST
the cross and indeed all the other nonsense attributed to cristianity was a concoction instigated hundreds if not thousand of years after he died by his misguided followers to keep his memory going.
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Published by: raj
chicago,USA 03/19/2009 05:03 PM EST
Thank you Lord. This issue was grieving me beyond words. The Holy Father is establishing good rapport with our Jewish brothers. But i was shocked to hear the stinging attack by the rabbi.
Thank You Jesus my savior. Thank you for answering our prayers. My Most Merciful Savior, we adore Thee!
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Published by: Michelle LePoidevin
Linden, NJ 03/19/2009 12:46 PM EST
May God bless the Pope on his journey! I thank God that he will wear the cross and not be deterred. He is a true example to us all!
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Published by: john
USA 03/19/2009 09:17 AM EST
How nice!
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Published by: Sarah
Bangalore/Karnataka/India 03/19/2009 12:07 AM EST
Even if a Cross is not worn, the faith can not be changed which is in the heart of a person. So we may as well wear the Cross everywhere at all times.
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Published by: Anita
Florida,USA 03/18/2009 09:38 PM EST
It only makes good sense to accept the Pope with his cross and all his normal attire. Preventing it would be the same as if a rabbi went to the Vatican or other holy place of Catholicism and he had to remove his yarmulka and shave his beard and any other symbol that show he is of the Jewish faith.
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Published by: Paul M Blake
Canton, MA - USA 03/18/2009 07:40 PM EST
This should not surprise anyone in the USA where attempts are made every day to remove Christ and His Cross from the public square.
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Published by: Daniel
Wintersville, OH USA 03/18/2009 05:56 PM EST
Or, by God's grace, may the Jews hear the call of the one Savior Jesus Christ, abandon their errors and become Catholic
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Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 03/18/2009 04:16 PM EST
Sorry Rabbi the Cross goes with The Holy Father--they are inseparable. We agree however,the Cross IS offensive---Jesus made it to be so.
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Published by: Mary
LA,CA,USA 03/18/2009 01:55 PM EST
God Bless Pope Benedict XVI, and his trip to the Holy Land.
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Published by: Brian
Indianapolis, IN, USA 03/18/2009 07:36 AM EST
Rate: Very Good
The cross may turn out to be a definite symbol of a Christian leader befriending Jews. May it be so by God's grace.
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