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Pope Visits Synagogue in Germany
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Members of Cologne's Jewish community say they are honored by pope's
visit





Pope Benedict XVI (r) is welcomed by member of the Jewish community as
he arrives for a visit to a synagogue in ColognePope Benedict XVI has
visited a synagogue in the German city of Cologne, becoming only the
second pontiff to go to a Jewish temple.

The pope, who is on his first official foreign trip since his election
to the papacy less than five months ago, listened Friday as Jewish
leaders offered a Hebrew prayer.

The synagogue was destroyed by Nazis in 1938 during the anti-Jewish
night riots known as Kristallnacht, and was not rebuilt until the
1950s.

Members of Cologne's Jewish community say they are honored by the
pope's visit.

Earlier, he met with German President Horst Koehler in Bonn, and plans
to meet with Muslim leaders on Saturday.

Thousands of young pilgrims greeted Benedict's arrival in Cologne
Thursday, for Roman Catholic celebrations of World Youth Day. The pope
- a native of Germany - the spoke to hundreds of thousands of
enthusiastic pilgrims gathered to hear his message. He also visited
the world-renowned Cologne Cathedral.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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