New Pope invites Rome's chief rabbi to Sunday's inauguration

In a sign that he intends to follow in the steps of his predecessor and reach out to other religions, Pope Benedict XVI has invited the chief rabbi of Rome to his inauguration, a spokesman for Rome's Jewish community said on Thursday. Riccardo Pacifici said the invitation to Rabbi Riccardo di Segni had "brought with it surprise, pleasure and hope for the future." But he added that the rabbi could not attend the inauguration on Sunday as it was the first day of Passover. "In announcing to you my election and my solemn inauguration of my Pontificate...I confide in the help of the Almighty to continue the dialogue and strengthen the collaboration with the sons and daughters of the Jewish people," stated the Pope's letter. Jews widely admired the late Pope John Paul II for his unstinting efforts to promote Jewish-Catholic reconciliation. He also won over many Israelis during a trip to the Holy Land in 2000 by apologizing for Roman Catholic wrongdoing over the centuries. He also was praised for promoting interfaith dialogue, establishing diplomatic relations with Israel and aiding Polish Jews during the Nazi era.