A fine mattinata, il Santo Padre Giovanni Paolo II ha ricevuto in Udienza i Membri dell’ "American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee" ed ha loro rivolto le seguenti parole di saluto:

Distinguished Guests,

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you, the President and members of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Your visit is yet another sign of the bonds of friendship between the Jewish people and the Catholic Church, bonds which we hope will grow ever stronger.

God has created man in his image and has endowed human beings with the capacity to love. It is through love that we fulfil our destiny to act in the likeness of God. From this stems our duty to serve one another according to the commandment found in the Book of Leviticus: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord" (19:18). We are called especially to serve those who need our help to live in security, justice and freedom.

I gladly encourage the activity of your Joint Committee. May God bless your efforts and grant you success in helping those in need.

[00477-02.01] [Original text: English]