Pope sends greetings to Jewish community of Rome

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis has sent greetings to the Jewish community of Rome on the occasion of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, which are all celebrated in September.

"I am pleased to extend my sincere best wishes to you and to the Jewish Community of Rome", Pope Francis said in a letter addressed to Rome's Chief Rabbi, Riccardo Shemuel Di Segni.

The Pope writes that he hopes that these festivities might revive "the memory of the benefits received from the Most High. He also extended his thought to all "the Jewish communities in the world" that they might find in these feasts "the source of further graces and spiritual consolation... May the Most High bless us with the gift of peace, inspiring us toward greater diligence to promote it untiringly".

Pope Francis' final thought expresses his prayer that the Lord's "infinite goodness, might strengthen our bonds of friendship everywhere as well as the desire to foster a constant dialogue for the good of all".

He signed off with "Shalom Alechem"-the classic Hebrew greeting which means "Peace be upon you".

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated from September 9-11, Yom Kippur on September 18 and 19, and Sukkot which begins on September 23, ends on September 30.