JOHN PAUL II WELCOMES ROME'S CHIEF RABBI TO THE VATICAN

VATICAN CITY, FEB 13, 2003 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed to the Vatican Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni of Rome, receiving him in private audience and then with representatives of Rome's Jewish community who accompanied. The Pope had met his predecessor, Rabbi Elio Toaff, on several occasions and, on April 13, 1986 paid what he termed "a historic and unforgettable visit" to Rome's synagogue.

The Pope recalled the 1986 visit in his speech today and said he hoped that "the memory of that event continues to have a beneficial influence." He also noted that "the Jewish community of Rome is the oldest in Western Europe."

"We must recognize that in the past our two communities have lived side by side, sometimes writing 'a tormented history', not free in several instances of hostility and distrust. The Vatican Council II document 'Nostra Aetate', the gradual application of the conciliar dictate, the gestures of friendship that have been made by both sides, have however contributed in these years to orienting our relations towards an ever greater reciprocal understanding. I hope that this effort proceeds."

"In these days," the Pope affirmed, "dangerous outcries of war echo throughout the world. We, Jews and Catholics, feel the urgent mission to implore God the Creator and the Eternal One for peace and that we ourselves become workers of peace.

"Shalom! This beautiful expression, so dear to you, means salvation, happiness, harmony and underlines that peace is a gift from God, a fragile gift, placed in the hands of man and one to be safeguarded thanks also to the commitment of our communities. May God make us builders of peace, in the awareness that when man performs works of peace, he becomes capable of bettering the world."

"Shalom!" John Paul II concluded. "This is my cordial greeting to you and the entire Jewish community of Rome."

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