A delegation of prominent rabbis and Jewish leaders from around the world met with Pope John Paul II on Tuesday to thank him for what they called a lifelong commitment to the defense of Jews. Recalling the Pope's visit to Auschwitz during his first trip to his Polish homeland in 1979, Gary Krupp of the foundation "Pave the Way" praised John Paul II for setting a "tone of reconciliation" in his papacy. "You have defended Jewish people at every opportunity, as a priest in Poland and during your 26-year-old pontificate. You have denounced anti-Semitism as a sin against God and humanity," said Krupp, whose foundation works to better relations between religious groups. The Pope urged Catholics and Jews to further improve relations. He noted that this year marked the 40th anniversary of a Vatican declaration rescinding the accusation that Jews were collectively responsible for the crucifixion of Christ. "May this be an occasion for renewed commitment to increased understanding and cooperation in the service of building a world ever more firmly based on respect for the divine image in every human being."