Pope sends Rosh Hashana wishes to Rome Jewish community

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- As the Jewish community was about to mark the beginning of the year 5786 and the Jewish high holy days, Pope Leo XIV sent his best wishes to Rome's chief rabbi.

"On the occasion of the upcoming celebrations of Rosh Hashana 5786, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to you and to the entire Jewish community of Rome," the pope said in a telegram to Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni, the chief rabbi.

Rosh Hashana is the Jewish New Year, which was to begin at sundown Sept. 22, the day the pope's message was released at the Vatican. Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, is observed 10 days later with fasting and prayer. Sukkot is the harvest festival, which begins at sundown Oct. 6.

"May the Eternal One, in his infinite goodness, be near your community and accompany all our efforts to deepen the friendship between us, in the city of Rome and throughout the world," the pope wrote.

"May God, in his boundless mercy, grant us the gift of peace and the tireless desire to always promote it," he said, before closing with the Hebrew salutation, "Shalom Aleichem," or "peace be with you."