Posted by bonniekgoodman on January 7, 2014
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2014/01/07/jbuzz-musings-january-6-2014-pope-francis-formally-announces-may-trip-dates-to-israel-middle-east/
Posted by bonniekgoodman on November 10, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/11/10/jbuzz-musings-november-10-2013-world-political-and-religious-leaders-mark-the-75th-anniversary-of-kristallnacht/
Posted by bonniekgoodman on October 14, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/10/14/jbuzz-musings-october-14-2013-pope-francis-to-visit-israel-in-march-2014/
Posted by bonniekgoodman on July 22, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/jbuzz-musings-july-22-2013-growing-jewish-catholic-dialogue-under-pope-francis/
Source: Vatican Radio, 4-30-13
Pope Francis on Tuesday received in audience at the Vatican the Israeli President Shimon Peres and held talks on a variety of issues concerning the Middle East. President Peres also met the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertoni and Archbishop Dominque Mamberti, Secretary of Relations with States.
Please find below an English translation of the official communique on the talks released afterwards by the Holy See’s Press Office:
“During the cordial talks, the political and social situation in the Middle East—where more than a few conflicts persist—was addressed. A speedy resumption of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is hoped for, so that, with the courageous decisions and availability of both sides as well as support from the international community, an agreement may be reached that respects the legitimate aspirations of the two Peoples, thus decisively contributing to the peace and stability of the region. Reference to the important issue of the City of Jerusalem was not overlooked. Particular worry for the conflict that plagues Syria was expressed, for which a political solution is hoped for that privileges the logic of reconciliation and dialogue.
A number of issues concerning relations between the State of Israel and the Holy See and between state authorities and the local Catholic communities were also addressed. In conclusion, the significant progress made by the Bilateral Working Commission, which is preparing an agreement regarding issues of common interest, was appreciated and its rapid conclusion is foreseen.”
Following Tuesday’s meeting between Pope Francis and President Peres, Israel’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Zion Evrony spoke to Vatican Radio’s Susy Hodges about their talks and in particular about the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace process, the Syrian conflict and the long-standing bilateral talks between Israel and the Holy See on tax and economic issues.
Listen to the extended interview with Ambassador Evrony by Susy Hodges: 
Ambassador Evrony says Israel “really hopes” for an early resumption of the stalled peace process between the Jewish state and the Palestinians. “There’s nothing that that the people of Israel want more than peace … peace with our Palestinian neighbours is one of our main goals,” he says.
Ambassador Evrony also talks about Israel’s concerns over the Syrian conflict, saying the crisis there “is first and foremost a humanitarian crisis.” “It is tragic,” he continues, “to see the bloodshed and human suffering and see a brutal dictator massacre his own people.” The Israeli Ambassador also spoke of his country’s concern about the issue of chemical weapons in Syria and said he is worried that “these chemical weapons could end up in the wrong hands.”
Turning to the question of the bilateral discussions between Israel and the Holy See over various economic and tax issues, Ambassador Evrony said “there was reason to be optimistic” concerning these long-standing issues although he added “there is still some work to be done” before a final conclusion can be reached.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on April 30, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/04/30/jbuzz-news-april-30-2013-pope-francis-and-israeli-president-shimon-peres-hopes-for-resumption-of-peace-talks/
In one week, Riccardo Di Segni prepares for Passover and a new pope.
On the week before Passover, Rabbi Di Segni was busier than ever. A new pope had been elected and members of the news media flocked to the historic Great Synagogue to interview the 63-year-old religious leader.
With the clock ticking on the arrival of Passover, the rabbi attended the installation and shared some words with the new pope. “I blessed him for success and told him that we are interested to meet, the Jewish community and him, in a way that would be useful.”…READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 28, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/03/28/jbuzz-news-march-28-2013-romes-chief-rabbi-riccardo-di-segni-in-the-spotlight-over-relations-with-new-pope-francis/
Source: Radio Vaticana, 3-25-13
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a telegram to Rome’s Jewish community, to mark the feast of Passover, which this year begins at sundown, Monday, March 25th. Below, please find Vatican Radio’s translation of the full text of the message, addressed to the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo di Segni, with whom the Holy Father met on March 20th during the course of his audience with delegations from other Christian confessions and non-Christian religions.
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A few days on from our meeting, and with renewed gratitude for your having desired to honour the celebration of the beginning of my ministry with your presence and that of other distinguished members of the Jewish community, I take great pleasure in extending my warmest best wishes to you and Rome’s entire Jewish community on the occasion of the Great Feast of Pesach. May the Almighty, who freed His people from slavery in Egypt to guide them to the Promised Land continue to deliver you from all evil and to accompany you with His blessing. I ask you to pray for me, as I assure you of my prayers for you, confident that we can deepen [our] ties of mutual esteem and friendship. – FRANCIS
Source: Romaebraica, 3-25-13
Questa mattina gli uffici della segreteria di Stato del Vaticano hanno fatto recapitare una lettera firmata da Papa Francesco al Capo Rabbino della Comunità Ebraica di Roma. Bergoglio porge gli auguri di buon Pesach a tutta la Comunità romana e, in un passaggio della sua lettera, scrive: “L’Onnipotente, che ha liberato il suo popolo dalla schiavitù dell’Egitto per guidarlo alla Terra Promessa, continui a liberarvi da ogni male e ad accompagnarvi con la sua benedizione. Vi chiedo di pregare per me, mentre io assicuro la mia preghiera per voi, confidando di poter approfondire i legami di stima e di amicizia reciproca“.
Il Capo Rabbino, Riccardo Di Segni, ha accolto con piacere gli auguri del Pontefice e lo ringrazierà nelle prossime ore, porgendo a Papa Francesco i migliori auguri per la Pasqua Cristiana.
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 25, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/full-text-jbuzz-news-march-25-2013-pope-francis-passover-message-to-jewish-community/
Source: JPost, 3-14-13
Faithful react as newly elected Pope Francis I, March 13, 2013. Photo: REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) along with the World Jewish Congress (WJC) on Wednesday welcomed Cardinal Jorge María Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, on his election as Pope Francis I.
Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, said he was “reassured” over the record of the new Pope, stating that Bergoglio was crucial in maintaing “positive Catholic-Jewish relations.”…
Related:
Rabbi David Rosen, the director of interfaith affairs for the American Jewish Committee, told JTA that the new pope is a “warm and sweet and modest man” known in Buenos Aires for doing his own cooking and personally answering his phone.After the bombing of the AMIA Jewish community center in 1994, he “showed solidarity with the Jewish community,” Rosen said….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 13, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/jbuzz-news-march-1-2013-jewish-leaders-have-hope-in-election-of-new-pope-francis/
Source: JTA, 3-13-13
Newly elected Pope Francis I, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, in a photograph released by Osservatore Romano at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out on Wednesday, signaling that Roman Catholic cardinals had elected a pope to succeed Benedict XVI. REUTERS/Osservatore Romano
Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Argentinian cardinal who was elected pope late Wednesday and will take the name Francis I, is said to have a good relationship with Argentinian Jews….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 13, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/jbuzz-news-march-13-2013-new-pope-francis-jorge-mario-bergoglio-of-argentina-has-jewish-connections/
The Roman College of Cardinals on Monday evening elected Jorge Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as its new Pope
Source: Arutz Sheva, 3-13-13
Newly elected Pope Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina appears on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica after being elected by the conclave of cardinals, at the Vatican, March 13, 2013. White smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney and the bells of St. Peter’s Basilica rang out on Wednesday, signaling that Roman Catholic cardinals had elected a pope to succeed Benedict XVI. REUTERS/Tony Gentile
The Roman College of Cardinals on Monday evening elected Jorge Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, as its new Pope. Bergoglio, who has taken the name Francis I for his office, is the first Pope to be chosen from outside of Europe….
Bergoglio is said to have had good relations with Argentinian Jews. He was praised by local and U.S. Jewish community leaders for his response to the 1994 bombing of the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association. In 2005, Bergoglio signed a joint statement against terrorism together with Jose Adaszko of the Israel Mutual Association of Argentina, and Omar Helal Massud of the Islamic Center, with an emphasis on preventing attacks such as the 1994 bombing….READ MORE
Posted by bonniekgoodman on March 13, 2013
https://jbuzz.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/jbuzz-newsmarch-13-2013-new-pope-francis-i-former-cardinal-jorge-mario-bergoglio-said-to-have-good-relations-with-argentinas-jews/
