Pope Francis' visit to the Great
Synagogue of Rome on January 17 speaks to peace in the face of
extremism, Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni told ANSA in an
interview Friday.
The pontiff's visit not only confirms the "friendship"
between the two faiths but is also a message of "peace in
contrast to the spread of extremism and violence in the name of
religion," Di Segni said.
"We are upset and concerned over the spread of extremism,"
he said.
"Differences of faith must not be a motive for hostility,
violence and hatred, but on the contrary a reason to live
together and work for peace," the chief rabbi said.
"January 17 will certainly not be a routine event," he
added.
Francis will be the third pontiff to visit the Great
Synagogue after John Paul II in 1986 and Benedict XVI in 2010.
"Every pope is different," said Di Segni, who hosted
Benedict on his visit.
"Benedict is a scholar first of all, and he analyzed the
doctrinal aspects in relation to Judaism. Francis is a pastoral
pope," the rabbi said.
"As archbishop of Buenos Aires and then as pope, he has
given signs of friendship towards the Jewish people and its
religious tradition".
The Jewish community of Rome goes back to the 2nd century
BC, and the Great Synagogue was completed in 1904.
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