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A Tribute To A Great Pope

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A Tribute To A Great Pope

As the Pope’s reign draws to a close, many people are expressing their feelings about him. His 25 year pontificate is among the longest in history. He is a writer, poet, philosopher, professor, theologian, priest, pastor, preacher, counselor and enthusiastic leader of souls. A friend to Catholics and non-Catholics as well. Indeed he is loved by Catholics. He is loved by Jews.

It has been said that no other Pope has done so much for the Jewish community as this Pope. He truly has bridged the Catholic and Jewish faiths. He has brought a respect and appreciation for one another through Dialogue.

We quote parts of an article written by our friend and colleague Rabbi Leon Klenicki, former director of Interfaith Affairs and Liaison to the Vatican for the Anti-Defamation League.

1. “Pope John Paul II has shown his interest and commitment to the Catholic-Jewish Dialogue and the Jewish people in innumerable documents, and has met with Jewish leaders wherever he has traveled in the world. His interest has deepened through the years both theologically and politically.”
   
   
2. “He is clear in his New Testament comments made at the weekly audience. He has always been careful to stress the unique value of the Hebrew Bible during these meetings, where he receives visitors from around the world and which are reported in the press. And in Germany in 1980, he proclaimed the Jewish people as “ the people of God, of the Old Covenant never revoked by God.”
   
   
3. “During his historic visit to Israel, the Pope prayed at Yad Vashem and met with Holocaust survivors. His heartfelt words and the emotional tone of his voice deeply moved the Israelis and Catholics and Jews everywhere.”
   
   
4. “Pope John Paul II has taken advantage of every opportunity to express his concern about Jews. For example, upon receiving the German ambassador to the Holy See on Nov. 8, 1990, he said that “…we should also mention the tragedy of the Jewish people. For Christians the heavy burden of guilt for the murder of the Jewish people must be an enduring call to repentance; thereby we can overcome every form of anti-Semitism and establish a new relationship with our kindred nation of the Old Testament.”
   
   
5. “The Pope’s prayers at the Western Wall were an expression of solidarity with the Jewish people and Judaism. The image of this frail, elderly man in his pontifical robes placing a note in the Wall moved many in the world. The note was a copy of the prayer asking for forgiveness that he presented at the Holy See on March 12, 2000.”

“We salute Pope John Paul II as he celebrates
his 25th year of papacy and say L’Chaim
for his commitment and friendship to Jews and Judaism.”