U.S. Jewish group thanks pope for defending Jewish people

Published: 2003-10-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Among the congratulatory messages received by Pope John Paul II on his 25th anniversary, one from a U.S. Jewish group caught the Vatican's special attention. The New York-based Anti-Defamation League praised the pope for his many efforts to reconcile Christians and Jews. It was the only message printed in full by the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, in its coverage of the Oct. 16 anniversary. "Jews throughout the world are deeply grateful to the pope. He has defended the Jewish people at all times, as a priest in his native Poland and during his pontificate," the ADL message said. It noted that the Polish-born pope has denounced anti-Semitism as a sin and called on Christians to avoid anti-Jewish interpretations of Scripture.

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