“The hopes of countless men, women and children for a more secure and stable future depend on the outcome of negotiations for peace,” he told a welcoming ceremony at Israel’s international airport. “In union with people of goodwill everywhere, I plead with all those responsible to explore every possible avenue in the search for a just resolution of the outstanding difficulties, so that both peoples may live in peace in a homeland of their own within secure and internationally recognized borders.”
What do you think? Wise words or the “same old, same old”? As I prepare to leave for Israel so that I can meet His Holiness on Thursday in Nazareth, I am thinking a great deal about what I hope to hear from Pope Benedict.
If you had the chance to sit with the Pope, what would you most want to hear from him? what would you want to say?
Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted May 11, 2009 at 12:36 pm
I genuinely believe that this Pope wants to make the difference. But I would beg the question, if the above statement is true then why is he against equality in his own church? He is an exeptional man, and a man of deep faith and devotion so I am sure this has been thought out. But isn’t it true that peace needs to begin in our own backyards. I think we need to start from the inside out. If his own people don’t feel that there is fairness then how can the people he wants to influence look upon his words uncritically?
Then I would ask him for forgiveness for my arrogance. Ha
posted May 11, 2009 at 4:10 pm
I would ask him (1) what vision he had to bring Catholics closer to G-d and (2) wouldn’t the Church be setting a positive example by endorsing now – Israel and decrying the evils that gather to destroy it.
posted May 11, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Rabbi, have a good trip. You I have confidence in to say the uplifting thing.
posted May 13, 2009 at 11:43 am
I am a born catholic. I am also babtized as a child. I am not a practicing catholic. It is interesting to see the importance many give that which has corrupted His truth and those of the same that think they have a monopoly on His truth. For it is true that lies, false teachings, corruption of the truth has been allowed by the many it is also true that one has done nothing or very little to correct the lies of the past by not only the church but by those that think they have His truth as we move forward towards more corruption of His truth. My question is a very simple one to him as it would be to other so called leaders. When will His truth be allowed vs ones own or religious beliefs continue to be not only tought but practiced?
posted May 13, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Why don’t you apologize? Seems all the fashion. After all, American Jews helped put Obama in office. When Israel is diminished you can thank an American (liberal) Jew. Have a good trip and fist bumps to “His Holiness” as you, Rabbi, refer to him.
posted May 13, 2009 at 2:20 pm
retire.
He has done more harm then good he avoids words to please him.