JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli leaders are welcoming the selection of Pope Francis and calling him a friend of the Jewish people.
President Shimon Peres invited the new pope to follow the lead of his two predecessors and visit Israel. In a meeting with Roman Catholic Church leaders in Poland Thursday, Peres called Francis “a man of inspiration that can add to the attempt to bring peace in a stormy area.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he is sure the “excellent relations” between Jews and Christians as well as between Israel and the Vatican will continue.
Israel’s chief rabbinate also welcomed the appointment, saying Pope Francis’ “good relations with the Jewish People are well known.”
The former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, has been chosen as the 266th pope.
Comments (9)
Catholics respect the Jews as the Lord’s eldest son.
I think it was Pope Pius XII who said that to be a good Catholic, one must love the Jews.
@ImNotUglyIJustNeedLove - Well, at least the Catholic church seems to have some good leadership (so far). If only we could have the same for our country. But apparently that is asking too much. I wish we could send Obungle to Egypt and let him be their president since he loves them so much.
The last several Popes have been remarkable at bridging relations with Jews. JP II’s longtime childhood friend combined with the Nazi occupation of Poland made him sensitive to our Jewish brothers. And B-16 continued the outreach. May Pope Francis continue. Certainly Bergoglio’s strong reactions to the Buenos Aires synagogue bombing is a good indication of those intentions.
@districtofcalamity - What or who was B-16? Anyways I think he will keep up the good relations. I wish Obama would take a lesson from this guy.
@ImNotUglyIJustNeedLove - I think you have your roman numerals mixed up. It was Pius V.
@Ambrosius_Augustus_Rex - Even Ignatian Press Managing Editor Fr.Robert Fessio refers to Benedict XVI as B-16. Sorry that the abbreviation was not readily evident to you (nor the hint papal predecessors), yet JPII seems to have been understood.
@tendollar4ways - Pope Pius V was Renaissance circa 1500. What I’m referring to is modern circa 20th century.
@ImNotUglyIJustNeedLove - Either way they both loved the Jews.
@districtofcalamity - OK thanks for clearing that up.