President Shimon Peres will on Sunday, 10 Sivan 5774 travel to the Vatican after receiving an official invitation from Pope Francis during the pontiff’s recent visit to Jerusalem. One of the main events during the presidential visit will be a ceremony with the pope and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). The three, representatives of monotheistic religions, will pray for peace together.

The official delegation accompanying Mr. Peres will include representatives of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel as well as from other religions in Israel. Rabbi Dr. Ratzon Arussi, a member of the Chief Rabbinate Council will accompany the president along with Israel Prize recipient Rabbi Prof. Daniel Shferber, Rabbi David Rosen, Oded Viner and members of the Druse and other communities. Abu Mazen will also be bringing representatives of different religions as part of his contingent.

Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita met with the president this week and wished him a successful trip, praising his peace-making efforts and calls to refrain from using religion as a vehicle for terror and bloodshed. Rav Yosef asked the president to hold the joint ceremony in a venue that is void of Catholic religious symbols or a place where prayer services are held since this is forbidden by Yiddishkheit. The rav explained the service should be held in a fashion that it does not offend any of the religions.

The president complied and the service will not be held in a church but in a neutral venue.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)