Historic contact with Jews

THE Pope met with Jewish leaders on Tuesday in an attempt to repair any damage caused by the recent visit of the Austrian President Kurt Waldheim to the Vatican.
The nine Jewish leaders met Pope John Paul II and six of his advisors at the papal summer retreat of Castel Gandolfo in Italy for about 75 minutes.
Topics discussed included the state of Catholic-Jewish relations and more specifically, the Vatican's refusal to recognise the state of Israel.
The meeting was also designed to smooth the way for the Pope's visit to America next week.
One of the delegation who spoke with His Holiness on Tuesday, Rabbi Gilbert Klaperman said; "We agree in our discussions to disagree agreeably".
Although there are no apology for President Waldheim's acceptance at the Vatican, it was agreed that a Catholic document should be drawn up on the Holocaust.