Apr 18, 2008 / 14:52 pm
On his way to an ecumenical prayer service at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Pope Benedict made a quick stop at Park East Synagogue and greeted the worshippers gathered there.
The Pope was greeted by the synagogue’s chief rabbi, who recalled the progress of Catholic-Jewish relations over the past 45 years and invoked the time of renewal marked by the Passover as a sign of hope for inter-religious dialogue.
“Shalom!” the Pope greeted the Jewish congregation with.
“It is with joy that I come here, just a few hours before the celebration of your Pesah, to express my respect and esteem for the Jewish community in New York City,” he said.
Benedict also reflected on the setting of his brief visit, saying, “I find it moving to recall that Jesus, as a young boy, heard the words of Scripture and prayed in a place such as this.”