Spanish Jewish communities mourn the death of Pope Benedict XVI

The Federation of Jewish Communities of Spain (FCJE), the official representative of Spanish Jews, mourns the death of Pope Benedict XVI, and sends a fraternal embrace to the Catholic world.

A great master in theological science that he translated into accessible language, shy, respectful, cordial, humble and close to the people, Joseph Ratzinger is one of the theologians who has deepened the "unique and unmistakable" relationship that unites Christians with the Jewish people.

As president of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he acknowledged that there was not enough Christian sensitivity towards the Jews.

We recall his visit to a synagogue in Cologne in 2005 and in 2008 to a synagogue in New York on the eve of Passover in which he addressed the Jewish world, saying that an authentic dialogue between Jews and Catholics must be built on differences and mutual respect.

In March 2011 he published the book "Jesus of Nazareth" in which he said that the Jewish people are not responsible for Jesus' death sentence and that the misinterpretation of Matthew's gospel has had "fatal" consequences in history.

Also memorable was his speech in the Reichstag in 2011 in which he said that salvation comes from the Jewish people.