The Holy Father will make a 20 minute stop on April 18 at East Park Synagogue, a modern Orthodox congregation founded in 1888.
"By this personal and informal visit, which is not part of his official program, His Holiness wishes to express his good will toward the local Jewish community as they prepare for Passover," said Monsignor David Malloy, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Passover begins at sundown on April 19.
According to CBS News, the East Park Synagogue is led by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, 78, who lived under Nazi occupation in Budapest. He emigrated to the United States in 1947, and has led the synagogue since 1962. Rabbi Shneier, an advocate of religious freedom worldwide, founded the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an organization which promotes interfaith tolerance. He is also a recipient of the 2001 U.S. Presidential Citizens Medal for service to the nation.