AJC Congratulates Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio on Election as Pope

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Mar 13, 2013, 04:36 ET

NEW YORK, March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC congratulates the Catholic Church and Cardinal Jorge Maria Bergoglio, who has taken the name Francis on his election as the 266th pope, succeeding the retired Pope emeritus Benedict XVI.

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"We anticipate a close relationship with Pope Francis, as, together with our Catholic partners, we continue to advance Catholic-Jewish relations," said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC's International Director of Interreligious Affairs.

"Pope Francis has demonstrated his profound solidarity with the Jewish community in Argentina in both times of sorrow and joy. We look forward to continued close collaboration with the Catholic Church under his leadership as we have been privileged to enjoy with his predecessors."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee