The Evangelical Pope | Shalom!

A view of Rome's main Synagogueis seen by the dome of a catholic church

Each week we let Saint Pope John Paul II share meaningful signposts to spark socio-economic resolves through justice and righteousness combined with mercy and compassion; in short, love.

               ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in the Spirit of God (Galatians 3: 28).

The Vatican, 13 February 2003 | I am glad to meet you, esteemed Dr. Riccardo Di Segni, after being elected Chief Rabbi of Rome. I cordially greet you and the representatives who have accompanied you.

               Shalom! This beautiful word, so dear to you, means salvation, happiness, harmony; it highlights that peace is a gift of God; a fragile gift placed in human hands that has to be safeguarded by the dedication of our communities. 

               May God make us builders of peace, with the consciousness that when man works for peace, he becomes capable of making the world better. 

               Shalom! This is my cordial greeting to you and the entire Jewish community of Rome. May God, in His goodness, protect and bless each one of us. May he especially bless all who forge a path of friendship and peace among the men and women of every race and culture. 

Today’s visit allows me to emphasize the deep desire of the Church to strengthen the bonds of friendship and collaboration with the Jewish community.

               Here in Rome, the Synagogue, a symbol of the faith of the children of Abraham, is very close to St Peter’s Basilica.

               I am grateful to God, who granted me on 13 April 1986 to travel the short distance that separates these two temples.

               That historic and unforgettable visit was a gift from the Almighty and an essential milestone on the path of understanding between Jews and Christians.

I hope that the memory of that event may continue to exercise a beneficial influence. The path of confidence that has developed so far will intensify relations between the Christian community and the Jewish community of Rome, the most ancient one in Western Europe. 

We, Jews and Christians, perceive the urgent mission of imploring peace from God, the Creator and Eternal One, and of being ourselves, peacemakers. 

_________________________

Editor’s Note |

⁴ For the word of the Lord is right and true;
      He is faithful in all He does.
⁵ The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
      The earth is full of His unfailing love.

      Psalm 33: 3-4

_________________________

Excerpted from:

ADDRESS OF JOHN PAUL II TO THE CHIEF RABBI OF ROME, DR. RICCARDO DI SEGNI, Thursday, 13 February 2003  

https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2003/february/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20030213_rabbino-roma.html