Rome, Italy, May 9, 2005 / 22:00 pm
Jewish leaders have expressed their confidence in Pope Benedict XVI, saying that the first two weeks of his papacy show “good signs” that he will continue the work of Pope John Paul II regarding Jewish-Christian relations.
“Clearly, Benedict has gone out of his way to demonstrate that his commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations is as strong, if not stronger, than his predecessor,” Rabbi David Rosen, director of Interreligious Affairs for the American Jewish Committee, told Jewish Telegraphic Agency in a May 5 article.
Leaders noted that Pope Benedict first expressed his commitment the day after he was elected. He wrote to Rome’s Chief Rabbi, Riccardo Di Segni, and other Jewish leaders, inviting them to his papal inauguration and pledging to further Jewish-Catholic relations.
Four days later, during his homily at the inaugural mass, Pope Benedict singled out the Jews for recognition.