Rabbi Skorka: Francis' Trip to the Holy Land Is the "Beginning of a New Era"

Pope's Friend Discusses Upcoming Apostolic Visit

ROME, January 15, 2014 (Zenit.org) - Pope Francis will contribute to peace with a spiritual touch to the hearts of the people, a gesture of love, a message through which the feelings and thoughts of the people will be moved. He is capable of this, he knows exactly how to do it. This was the sentiment expressed by Rabbi Abraham Skorka, a personal friend of the Holy Father.

In an interview with the Italian newspaper, Avvenire, discussed his thoughts on the Pope's upcoming trip to the Holy Land in May. The Argentinian Rabbi was in Rome to participate in the presentation of Elisabetta Piques new book Francis: Life and Revolution. On Friday, he will attend a private audience with the Holy Father.

Regarding the Pope's upcoming trip, Rabbi Skorka described it as the beginning of a new era, not only for the Middle East, but for the whole world.

To go to the Holy Land, its not just to there in the biblical sense, to show himself to God but to put into practice what is said in the book of Psalms: I have asked peace for you, Jerusalem. This is our greatest challenge: when we say peace for Jerusalem, we are saying peace for the Holy Land and peace for the whole world.

Skorka, who is the rector of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary of Buenos Aires, will have a conference at Gregorian Pontifical University on the theme: Judeo-Christian Dialogue 50 years After Nostra Aetate: A Latin American Perspective. The conference will be presided by Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.

Source:  
 http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/rabbi-skorka-francis-trip-to-holy-land-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-era