Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 339

VI

Neoeboraci Summus Pontifex invisit «Park East » Synagogam.*

Dear Friends,

Shalom! It is with joy that I come here, just a few hours before the

celebration of your Pesah, to express my respect and esteem for the Jewish

community in New York City. The proximity of this place of worship to my

residence gives me the opportunity to greet some of you today. I find it

moving to recall that Jesus, as a young boy, heard the words of Scripture

and prayed in a place such as this. I thank Rabbi Schneier for his words of

welcome and I particularly appreciate your kind gift, the spring flowers and

the lovely song that the children sang for me. I know that the Jewish com-

munity make a valuable contribution to the life of the city, and I encourage

all of you to continue building bridges of friendship with all the many dif-

ferent ethnic and religious groups present in your neighborhood. I assure you

most especially of my closeness at this time, as you prepare to celebrate the

great deeds of the Almighty, and to sing the praises of Him who has worked

such wonders for his people. I would ask those of you who are present to pass

on my greetings and good wishes to all the members of the Jewish commu-

nity. Blessed be the name of the Lord!

VII

Ad Delegatos Oecumenicos.**

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My heart abounds with gratitude to Almighty God - ''the Father of all,

who is over all and through all and in all'' 1 - for this blessed opportunity to

gather with you this evening in prayer. I thank Bishop Dennis Sullivan for

his cordial welcome, and I warmly greet all those in attendance representing

* Die 18 Aprilis 2008.

** Die 18 Aprilis 2008. 1 Eph 4:6.