Pope sends greetings for Jewish autumn holidays

The Great Synagogue of Rome, right, and St Peter's Basilica, left. Image: Vatican Media

Source: Vatican Media

Pope Leo sent a message to the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, and "the entire dear Jewish community" for the feasts of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

"I hope that these celebrations may be an occasion of abundant blessings from the Almighty and a source of joy," Pope Leo wrote.

"May the arrival of Rosh Hashanah bring with it the promise of peaceful renewal and the sweetness of a propitious beginning; may the sacred silence of Yom Kippur be an occasion for peace and inner light; may the festival of Sukkot be filled with joy, gratitude and fellowship."

Renewing his "esteem" and "that of the entire Church," the Pope asks "the Eternal One to grant us that we may grow in mutual friendship, in our city of Rome and throughout the world."

Rosh Hashanah is the religious New Year, one of the three New Years observed in the Jewish calendar; Yom Kippur commemorates the Day of Atonement; and Sukkot is also known as the "Feast of Booths," the "Feast of Tabernacles," or simply "Tabernacles."