Pope to make two additional visits with Jewish leaders in U.S.

Published: 2008-04-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- When Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States, he will meet with Jewish representatives twice to acknowledge the Jewish feast of Passover, which begins April 19. After the pope's meeting with 200 interreligious leaders April 17 at the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center in Washington, Pope Benedict briefly will meet with Jewish leaders to give them "cordial greetings for the imminent feast of Passover," said Msgr. David Malloy, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Msgr. Malloy is also national coordinator for the pope's visit to Washington and New York City April 15-20. On Pope Benedict's way to the ecumenical prayer service in New York City April 18, he will make a 20-minute visit to the Park East Synagogue. The synagogue is near where the pope is residing at the residence of the Vatican's ambassador to the United Nations. "By this personal and informal visit, which is not part of his official program, His Holiness wishes to express his good will toward the local Jewish community as they prepare for Passover," Msgr. Malloy said April 3.

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