MOST IMPORTANT GUEST IN ISRAEL'S HISTORY Statements by Israel's Ambassador to the Vatican
ROME, APR 4 (ZENIT.org).- "There are not enough superlatives to describe this historic visit," stated Israel's Ambassador to the Vatican, during an informal meeting this morning with the reporters who covered John Paul II's trip to the Holy Land.
Ambassador Aharon López also wanted to publicly express his government's satisfaction with the Papal "Jubilee pilgrimage."
The Sephardic Jewish Ambassador, of Spanish origin, said that "the most symbolic moment was the Pontiff's arrival on a Jordanian Airlines flight, with the Vatican and Israeli flags hanging in Ben Gurion Airport."
According to the diplomat, the trip had three dimensions. In the first place, it was "the Pope's historic pilgrimage," linked to the Jubilee celebration. He explained that his government did everything possible to respect this objective, in spite of difficulties. Where they were most apprehensive were the stages in the ancient city of Jerusalem and in Korazim, at the Mount of the Beatitudes. Now, however, the government is "genuinely pleased" with the way events turned out.
In the second place, López emphasized the Pope's dimension as messenger of peace: "The words he spoke during his visit to both sides are reason for inspiration to continue with the peace negotiations."
The third dimension of the trip, from his point of view, is the promotion of "reconciliation" between Jews and the Catholic Church. "Unforgettable," according to the Ambassador, were the moments at the Memorial of the Holocaust in Jerusalem, his words and his meeting with survivors of the Shoah. He then recalled the moving image of the Pope placing a piece of paper, which bore a prayer for forgiveness for the evils caused to the Jewish people by the children of the Church, into a crevice of the Wailing Wall. "By following the Jewish tradition, he won the hearts of Israelis," López said. Although he had already pronounced this prayer on March 12, this action, typical of the Jews, "made the difference."
The Ambassador said the country's press followed the Pope with "sympathy and appreciation" and said that he was the best welcomed foreign guest. Radio and television gave much space to the event, and prepared for the visit by showing two films on John Paul II's life and his last trip to Poland.
In a word, "it has been the most important visit in Israel's history," and "our greatest joy was to hear the Pope's words in which he expressed his satisfaction with the trip," the Israeli Ambassador concluded.
Zenit 4. april 2000