Introduction to a Unique Relationship
It must be a pretty short list, the number of rabbis who have met with Pope Francis in the Vatican three times.
“He taught us something very important, especially me as a Jew: for me to be right, you don’t need to be wrong,” said Rabbi Mario Rojzman of Temple Beth Torah-Benny Rok Campus.
A Deeper Connection
Rojzman brought 47 members of his synagogue to the Vatican to meet the pope in 2017.
“And I think they left the Vatican saying we are not the owners of truth, we are the seekers of truth,” Rojzman said.
Roots of the Relationship
The relationship between the pope and the rabbi begins in Argentina, where Rojzman was close friends with Bishop Justa Laguna. They wrote a book together, and when Laguna died, Rojzman went to the Vatican to pray with the pope for their mutual friend.
“I grew up in a very poor neighborhood in Buenos Aires, so here I am, receiving all the honors in the Vatican to pray for a bishop in Hebrew with the Holy Father,” Rojzman said. “I’m not exaggerating, I was feeling that nothing matters but serving, you don’t become the pope because you have good luck, you become the pope, or this kind of pope, or this pope, because you serve.”
A Lesson in Service
On his last visit to the Vatican, Rojzman saw an example of service that sets a high standard for any member of the clergy.
“I saw the pope paying attention to the least among us in society, hugging them, kissing them, telling them you have value, you are crippled in a chair, your nose runs with mocos, but I will touch you anyway because I see the divine image in you,” Rojzman described.
A Message of Gratitude
And if this rabbi could say one more thing to this pope, what would it be?
“I will thank him, I will say to him that at all the points that we disagree, I knew he came from the right place,” said Rojzman.
Conclusion
Rabbi Mario Rojzman’s reflections on his meetings with Pope Francis highlight a profound respect and admiration for the pope’s commitment to service and his ability to find common ground among people of different faiths. The rabbi’s experiences serve as a reminder of the importance of humility, compassion, and the pursuit of truth in religious leadership.
FAQs
- Q: How many times has Rabbi Mario Rojzman met with Pope Francis?
- A: Rabbi Mario Rojzman has met with Pope Francis three times in the Vatican.
- Q: What was the occasion of Rabbi Rojzman’s first meeting with Pope Francis?
- A: The occasion was to pray for their mutual friend, Bishop Justa Laguna, who had passed away.
- Q: What lesson did Rabbi Rojzman learn from his interactions with Pope Francis?
- A: One of the key lessons was that for one to be right, it does not necessitate that another be wrong, emphasizing the importance of coexistence and mutual respect.
- Q: How does Rabbi Rojzman describe Pope Francis’s approach to those less fortunate?
- A: He describes the pope as paying attention to the least among us, showing them love and respect, and seeing the divine image in everyone, regardless of their condition.
- Q: What would Rabbi Rojzman say to Pope Francis if given the opportunity?
- A: He would thank the pope and acknowledge that even in areas of disagreement, he believes the pope comes from a place of goodwill.
