Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Some 160 rabbis representing a cross section of Judaism met Pope John Paul II today to express their heartfelt gratitude for protecting Jews whenever he had the opportunity, whether as a priest in Poland or during his 26-year pontificate.

Three times Gary L. Krupp, on behalf of Pave the Way Foundation, thank the Pontiff on this historic occasion.

In his speech, Mr Krupp underlined in a moving tone the gestures of friendship and the various moments in the Pope's pastoral action in favour of the Jewish people: reconciliation as the defining characteristic of his relations to the Jewish people, his telling journey to Auschwitz after his election as Pope, his denunciation of anti-Semitism as a "sin against God and humanity"; his historic visit to Rome's synagogue—the first Pope to do so since St. Peter—and establishing diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the state of Israel in 1992.

Mr Krupp also spoke of the Pope's pilgrimage to Israel and the Holy Land on March 21, 2000, "immortalised in the hearts and minds of the Jewish people around the world", and his visit to Yad Vashem, the Hall of Remembrance that commemorates those who died in the Holocaust, which "profoundly moved us and touched our hearts."

"It is impossible to describe the emotional impact these milestones have had on Jews worldwide," Mr Krupp stressed.

"Your Holiness, these reconciliatory acts have, in fact, been a hallmark of your pontificate as you have also tried to repair the ancient rifts in all of the religions in the world," he said.

Quoting Rabbi Hillel, the Jewish leader noted that John Paul II was like the Prophet Aaron: "Be among the disciples of Aaron, by being a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, a lover of all humanity and bringing them closer to religion."

"For your acts of love of all humankind and your implacable pursuit of peace and reconciliation of all the faiths, your Holiness truly is the personification of these ideals and spirit of Aaron, the high priest of ancient Israel."

In closing, Gary Krupp expressed the wish that "Jews, Christians and Muslims, the three children of Abraham, may soon bond together in one common cause and voice to defend all humanity against those who defame God by committing wanton acts of violence in his holy name."

"Your Holiness, thank you, thank you, thank you. Shalom, Shalom, Shalom." (LF)