On any list of the biggest religion stories of the 20th century, the positive revolution in Catholic-Jewish relations that unfolded post-World War II, accelerating after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s, would have to finish near the top.

Sunday brings a reminder, as Pope Francis visits the Great Synagogue of Rome, becoming the third pontiff to do so after St. John Paul II in 1986 and Benedict XVI in 2010. Where the synagogue stands today was once inside a papally-imposed ghetto; today, popes arrive as invited friends.

These visits are always special, given that arguably no Jewish community has felt the sting of Catholic opprobrium more than the one in Rome. It’s enough to recall that in the Middle Ages, the rabbi of Rome was required to present a tribute to the chief of the city councilors each year, and in return got a ceremonial kick to the rump.

Read the article “As Pope Visits Rome Synagogue, Six Issues Strain Catholic-Jewish Ties” on cruxnow.com.