John Paul II and Christian-Muslim relations

Abstract

In his first public address following his election on October 16, 1978 Pope John Paul II described himself as “a man from a far country.” From the time he was a student his country was occupied by Nazi Germany and, later, by Soviet Communism. Many in the media were of the opinion that such a background could not augur well for a culture of dialogue that his predecessor Paul VI had initiated. And yet, throughout his twenty-seven-year pontificate, John Paul II proved that he was an eager and fast learner as well as a very good listener. Although he embraced tradition, he succeeded in striking cordial and at times even friendly relations with many political leaders, including those who espoused systems that ran counter to his core beliefs. He also created a solid and deeply respectful relationship with quite a few religious authorities. One need only cite, by way of example, his rapport with President Sandro Pertini (1896-1990),

the former partisan and staunch Socialist, to say nothing of the bond of friendship which he struck with Elio Toaff (1915-2015), then rabbi of the Rome synagogue and Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community in Italy, and his statement in the Rome synagogue in which he referred to the Jews as “our elder brothers.” [excerpt]