Israeli official says pope plans to visit synagogue in Germany

Published: 2005-05-16

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Israel's ambassador to the Vatican said Pope Benedict XVI told him he would visit a historic synagogue in Cologne, Germany, in August. Oded Ben-Hur, the ambassador, told the Israeli newspaper Maariv that the pope made the promise May 12 at the end of an audience with diplomats accredited to the Holy See. The Vatican press office had no comment on the ambassador's remarks. Officials involved with planning Pope Benedict's August trip to Cologne for World Youth Day said May 16 they were still working with the Aug. 18-21 dates for the papal trip set when Pope John Paul II was still alive.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .