Shalom

Friday evenings are a sacred time to the Jewish community. Following the command of the scriptures, it is customary that a Jewish family should gather for prayer as the sun sets on Friday evening, commencing the Sabbath - the day of rest. Last night though was even more special. Not only was it the beginning of the Sabbath, but it was the beginning of Pesah (Passover), the 'high holy days' if you will for the Jewish community.

Prescriptions about how to observe this night are written of in the Torah, and are retold in Jewish circles as well as Christian ones today (see Exodus 12:1 ff). Pope John Paul II used to refer to the Jewish community as 'our elder brothers in faith'. He worked tirelessly at forging and strengthening ties of friendship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community.

In his turn, Benedict XVI continues the practice of working at strengthening bonds of friendship and communication between us. Having already spoken with members of the Jewish community and presented them with special greetings for Passover during his visit to the Catholic University of America earlier this week, he visited at the Park East Synagogue in New York City last night. There he spoke words of greeting: Shalom! and expressed sentiments of respect and esteem for the Jewish community on the eve of Pesah. He also took this occasion to encourage the fostering of relations between the Jewish community and the many different ethnic and religious groups present in New York City.

This was a very short, but very significant visit among new friends, but in some ways it was like branches of a family hitherto unknown to each other finally having the occasion to meet. What a wonderful occasion for building bridges! What a wonderful occasion for celebrating our common faith!

Following his short visit at the Park East Synagogue, the Holy Father participated in an ecumenical prayer service which took place at Saint Joseph's parish in Yorkville New York. This moment of prayer with representatives of various Christian faith traditions throughout the United States was yet another significant moment for building bridges, promoting reconciliation and expressing the hope for a better, brighter future.

• Address of the Holy Father to participants at the Ecumenical Prayer Service conducted at Saint Joseph's parish, Yorkville, NY, April 18, 2008

This morning, the Holy Father will preside at a Mass in Saint Patrick's Cathedral at 9:00 am, and participate in a Rally with youth at Saint Joseph's Seminary at 4:30 pm. Live video coverage of these events is available on the website of the Papal Visit.