Pope to make his first visit to Rome synagogue

At least that's the way I read St Paul in the letter to the Galatians, the first 8 chapter of the letter to the Romans, and chapters 7 to 10 of the letter to the Hebrews. The Old Mosaic Covenant is over. It was over 2000 years ago. As El Gordo states: a new covenant was created with Jesus Christ - the road to (G)od is through Christ not a temple in Jerusalem,..." Protestant Christians often accuse Catholics like me of not knowing their Bibles. But, believe me, this Catholic is pretty clear on N.T. vs. O.T. theology as it touches the change of Covenants.

Unfortunately the anti Israel and anti semites are out in full force right now but Israel has a powerful mission to save this planet.The more the world lines up against her, the only real democracy, the only country that is truly a friend to every nation, the only country that could offer the Pals arabs an alternative to their bloodthirsty leaderships, Hamas and PA who kill them, use them as shields, encorage them with the Iranian Mullah's help to blow up their children and Israeli children with suicide bombs, who teach them hate and despair. If any of the posters cared about the Pals arabs more than they hate Jews they would encourage them to turn away from their leadership and work with the Israeli's to coexist and prosper

spiritual brothers Hamas/Extremism is not of this world. Israel has a spiritual mission to save humanity and for 60 years while the west slept and pursued materialism Israel destroyed terrorist acquisition of nuclear weapons. American and the world is now blind but Israel is the one country that is saving humanity only people like Hollingworth are too blinded by anti semitism and partiality to see.Look at how the shiite mullahs are killing protesters in Iran or the genocide in Darfur by the Islamic regime or the brutal treatment of women,children and gays in Islamic regimes but people like Hollyworth are without WORTH because they have little discernment. Thank you RC for your post and yes God bless Israel

What is to happen will happen - do not force the hand of god. Secondly, a new covenant was created with Jesus Christ - the road to god is through Christ not a temple in Jerusalem, should god want it rebuilt it will happen - there is no need to support and attempt to force it to happen. Thirdly, although it is true that the God of Catholics is the same God of Israel the mission is quite different. Salvation is the one and only thing important in life and there is only one way to it. "no man shall enter the kingdom of heaven but through me" so said the lord. Leave the conflicts of the world to God, your (and my) job is to be saved by loving thy enemy as thyself.

Sorry but your facts are wrong. The church in Italy did not protect their Jewish citizens. The Pope watched as Italian Jews marched to the cattel cars. It was independent priest that protected the JEWS. No offical order camme from Hitlers Pope

Actually there were Jews in Rome before the Christians got there.

"They (the jews) are our spiritual brethren. Quit trying to proselyte them. Bless Israel." Benjamin Netanyahu is your spiritual brother? Ehud Barak is your spiritual brother? Sumner Redstone is your spiritual brother? Larry Silvertein is your spiritual brother? Rabbi Arthur Schneier is your spiritual brother? Morris Dees is your spiritual brother? Henry Waxman is your spiritual brother? Joe Lieberman is your spiritual brother? Boy, I'm "RC" too, but I have an entirely different set of spiritual brothers.

You made your point. We are indigenous to the Middle East.. so no Israeli - Palestinian conflict.. we were there, we are there.. Thanks for settling the issue. anyway Rome has lousy Pizza!

I hope more Christians will study and understand Romans chapter 11 in the Bible. If they understand this chapter they will realize that G-D has used the Israelites for our salvation. Be thankful that we have been grafted into the Olive Tree. I hope the Roman Catholic Pope and all other Christian Faith Leaders will help Israel restore the Temple in Jerusalem, and follow G-D?s plan. They are our spiritual brethren. Quit trying to proselyte them. Bless Israel.

When non Israeli Jews get about a third of the Nobel Prizes through history they are proudly referred to as "German" British, French American ,etc. But then it does not suit the likes of you and your mixed breed origins when Jews are just fellow citizens.Then Jews are "guests".

It doesn't matter how far back Jews or other semites have been in Rome or Europe proper, Jews are inherently not indigenous to Europe or Rome, Semites are from Asia - hence, the Jews and Palestinians are fighting over indigenous rights to land. The Roman people have been in Rome since even before there was a Roman empire - true that Jewish and other slaves were brought to the region but that does not mean that they are indigenous - hence the conflict in Palestine. They are guests in our land, just like a European, who has lived in Palestine for hundreds of years still not be indigenous to the land. Roman history, Europe's history is my history, while Jewish history is in Israel. From the Roman gods and Plato to the Germanic tribes of the north.

As far back as the time of Julius Caesar there were about 10,000 Jews living in Rome. During the later Roman Empire many 'outsiders' moved ito Italy. Are these invading barbarians more indigenous than Jews? Most modern European nations are of mixed racial origin. Many Jews assimmilated into European Christian society and Judaism accepted many Gentile converts. We're also a mixture.

They are not native to Rome or Europe - they are asians from Israel silly! We are the indigenous people here, not the jews - ask any Israeli.

Thanks for underscoring once again, as all of you so regularly do, the legitimacy of the one and only Jewish State, Israel.

"You are guests in our native land" Guests? Is it not also their native land?

That they are being protected by the Catholic church and the Italian people. You are guests in our native land and we welcome all. Rome is the Vatican, the Vatican is Rome.

Like John XXIII and John Paul II, Pope Benedict seems to have a genuine desire to improve relations with the Jewish faith. I hope good comes of it.