Pope Benedict quits Vatican with promise to obey successor

Published on February 28, 2013

Pope Benedict left the Vatican on Thursday after pledging unconditional obedience to whoever succeeds him to guide the Roman Catholic Church at one of the most crisis-ridden periods in its 2,000-year history.

Netanyahu thanks Pope for deepening Christian-Jewish ties

Published on February 19, 2013

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked outgoing Pope Benedict on Monday for his efforts to shore up often troubled relations between the Roman Catholic Church and Jews, including with his 2009 visit to the Holy Land.

Benedict’s papacy: a period of close Jewish relations with occasional bumps

Published on February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict XVI’s eight-year reign as head of the world’s 1 billion Catholics sometimes was a bumpy one for the Vatican’s relations with Israel and the wider Jewish community. But it was also a period in which relations where consolidated and fervent pledges made to continue interfaith dialogue and bilateral cooperation.

Pope Benedict’s resignation announcement text

Published on February 11, 2013

Dear Brothers. I have convoked you to this Consistory, not only for the three canonizations, but also to communicate to you a decision of great importance for the life of the Church. After having repeatedly examined my conscience before God, I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry.

Pope Benedict XVI to resign, citing frailty

Published on February 11, 2013

Pope Benedict surprised the world on Monday by saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with the demands of his ministry, becoming the first pontiff to step down since the Middle Ages and leaving his aides "incredulous".

Pope praises French rabbi’s essay against gay marriage

Published on December 21, 2012

In his Christmas address to Vatican officials, Pope Benedict reportedly praised an essay by France’s chief rabbi on the negative effects of gay marriage.

Pope skirts politics in Cuba

By Brad A. Greenberg
Published on March 28, 2012

Pope Benedict renews commitment to Jewish dialogue

Published on May 13, 2011

Pope Benedict XVI praised the development of Catholic-Jewish relations over the past four decades and renewed commitment to dialogue. "What has happened in these forty years must be seen as a great gift from the Lord and a reason for heartfelt gratitude towards the One who guides our steps with his infinite and eternal wisdom," he told a senior delegation from B'nai B'rith international at an audience Wednesday at the Vatican.

Local Couple Secures Pope’s Personal Blessing of Crucifix for Ailing Catholic Friend

By Norma Zager
Published on November 22, 2006

Civic activists and philanthropists Faith and Jonathan Cookler recently returned from an Anti-Defamation League (ADL) National Leadership Mission led by Abraham Foxman, ADL national director, to meet with political, religious and community leaders in Rome, Paris (where Foxman was presented with the Legion of Honor by President Jacques Chirac) and Berlin.