Benedict reaches out to Jewish community

IN a sign he intends to follow in the steps of his predecessor and reach out to other religions, Pope Benedict XVI has invited the chief rabbi of Rome to his inauguration, said a spokesman for Rome’s Jewish community.

Riccardo Pacifici said the invitation to Rabbi Riccardo di Segni had "brought with it surprise, pleasure and hope for the future."

But he said the rabbi would not attend the inauguration, which was scheduled for Sunday, the first day of Passover, "obviously not as an act of impoliteness, but to fulfil Jewish practices."