(Simona Mengascini, SIR’s correspondent in Cyprus) – "Few people have had such a strong impact on the modern history of mankind as Pope John Paul II, of venerable memory, did. His deep commitment was extremely traditional, yet its effects were revolutionary". With these words, Rabbi David Rosen, President of the "International Jewish Committee for Inter-religious Consultations" (Israel), described John Paul II’s papacy and persona at the workshop dedicated to him by the meeting of Comunità di Sant’Egidio which is going on in Cyprus. "Under the impact of his leadership said Rosen , walls collapsed and the barriers of the past were overcome by his prophetic spirit". As to relations between the Catholic Church and the Jews, John Paul II, following the recommendations of John XXIII and the Second Vatican Council, "turned what was a current of reconciliation into an impressive river". "There’s no doubt added the Rabbi that the relation between Christians and Jews will still be challenged, and it would be unrealistic to expect it won’t. However, this relation reflects one of the most extraordinary changes in history, from rejection to love, from otherness to reconciliation, from violence to embrace; and in the process, John Paul II was really a great prophet of peace".
