Vatican City

April 20, 2005:
Papal Inauguration Invitation to the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo diSegni

"May the Lord have mercy and bless us; may his light shine upon us. On April 19, 2005, the cardinals of the Holy Roman Church elected me Bishop of Rome and Pastor of the universal Catholic Church. In announcing my election and the solemn inauguration of my pontificate, on Sunday, April 24, at 10 o'clock, I trust in the help of the Almighty to continue with the dialogue and to reinforce collaboration with the sons and daughters of the Jewish people."

April 24, 2005:
Homily at the Inaugural Mass (excerpt)

"With great affection I also greet all those who have been reborn in the sacrament of Baptism but are not yet in full communion with us; and you, my brothers and sisters of the Jewish people, to whom we are joined by a great shared spiritual heritage, one rooted in God’s irrevocable promises. Finally, like a wave gathering force, my thoughts go out to all men and women of today, to believers and non-believers alike."

May 8, 2005:
90th Birthday greetings to Rabbi Elio Toaff, Chief Rabbi of Rome, emeritus (excerpt)

"With a grateful spirit to God, I thank you for the good relations that have been interwoven with the Holy See, particularly during the pontificate of my deceased predecessor. Your birthday becomes an occasion to renew the commitment to continue the dialogue between us, looking with confidence to the future. I bless the eternal Father for the gift of the long and fruitful life he has granted you, during which the goodness of God has been manifested many times."