APOSTOLIC JOURNEY 
TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
AND VISIT TO THE UNITED NATIONS 
ORGANIZATION HEADQUARTERS

MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY

WORDS OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI

“Rotunda” Hall of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Center of Washington, D.C.
Thursday, 17 April 2008

My dear friends,

I extend special greetings of peace to the Jewish community in the United States and throughout the world as you prepare to celebrate the annual feast of Pesah. My visit to this country has coincided with this feast, allowing me to meet with you personally and to assure you of my prayers as you recall the signs and wonders God performed in liberating his chosen people. Motivated by our common spiritual heritage, I am pleased to entrust to you this message as a testimony to our hope centered on the Almighty and his mercy.