"Considering what unites us and what divides us, we must strengthen our brotherhood and live it. And we know that our brotherhood constantly invites us to deepen our mutual understanding and respect”. That is what Pope Benedict XVI declared at the meeting with the Jewish delegation in the Apostolic nuncio’s offices in Paris on the vigil of the weekly celebration of Shabbat. With the words of his predecessor Pius XI, he said that we "all are spiritually Semite", and that "the Church is against every form of anti-Semitism for which there is no theological justification," he added. Then the Pontiff "paid his tribute to those who were unjustly killed and to those who committed themselves to keep the memory of the victims alive." The Pope also underlined "the remarkable role French Jews had played in building the nation and their important contribution to its spiritual heritage." At the end of his speech, Pope Benedict XVI invoked the blessing of the Lord of time and history upon all those present and greeted them with the traditional greeting "Shabbat shalom!" ” ” ” “
