Rabbi: Pope Francis concerned about Western sanctions against Russia

April 22, 2015

The president of the Conference of European Rabbis said that Pope Francis told him that he is concerned about the effects of Western economic sanctions on the Russian people.

Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who is also the chief rabbi of Moscow, told the Interfax news agency that “the Pope is deeply concerned with deteriorating economic condition of people who are not guilty in the political crisis.”

“Pope Francis of Rome enjoys great moral authority and influence on Western culture, so we hope he will actively participate in normalization of diplomatic relations between Russia and Europe and this participation will be successful,” Rabbi Goldschmidt added.

 

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Further information:

• Innocent people suffer from sanctions between Russia and West - Pope of Rome (Interfax)
• Meeting European rabbis, Pope pays homage to deceased leader of Rome's Jewish community (CWN, 4/20)