Pope meets with world Jewish leaders, affirms commitment to dialogue

Published: 2005-06-09

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- In his first major meeting with world Jewish leaders, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed his commitment to Jewish-Catholic dialogue, fighting anti-Semitism and promoting continued Catholic reflection on the Holocaust. "It is my intention to continue on this path" begun by the Second Vatican Council to improve Catholic-Jewish relations, the pope told members of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations. The committee, which met the pope June 9, is made up of leaders of the world's major Jewish organizations -- including the World Jewish Congress, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith International, the Orthodox Union, the Rabbinical Council of America, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel -- as well as representatives from Italy, Latin America and throughout Europe. Since 1970, the international committee has been an official dialogue partner of the Vatican's Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews.

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