An invitation to "strive against all forms of anti-Semitism and discrimination, teaching the young generations to respect and welcome one another." So spoke the Pope at the end of yesterday’s Angelus after he had recalled the so-called "Cristal Night" which marked the beginning of the Jewish pogrom. "Today is the 70th anniversary of this sad event that took place in Germany in the night between November 9 and 10, when the Nazi anti-Jews campaign reached its climax," said Pope Benedict. In that occasion, "shops, offices, houses and synagogues were attacked and destroyed. Many people were killed in the systematic and violent persecutions carried out against German Jews that concluded with the Holocaust," said the Pontiff. "Even today, I am still pained over what happened in those tragic circumstances." "The memory of these terrible events must serve to keep such horrors from ever happening again and urge everyone, at all levels, to strive against all forms of anti-Semitism and discrimination, above all through the education of young people, who shall learn mutual respect and understanding." The Pope then concluded by expressing his solidarity with the Jewish world and calling for "prayers for the victims of that time." ” ” ” ” ” “
