AJC Mourns Archbishop Pietro Sambi

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Jul 28, 2011, 11:11 ET

NEW YORK, July 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC mourns the passing of Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the Papal Nuncio to the USA and former Papal Nuncio to the State of Israel.

"The untimely death of Archbishop Pietro Sambi is a loss for the Catholic Church and for Catholic-Jewish relations," said Rabbi David Rosen, AJC's International Director of Interreligious Affairs.

Rabbi Rosen and Archbishop Sambi were close collaborators who worked together on Israel-Vatican relations and the establishment of the bilateral commission of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and the Holy See, an initiative of Pope John Paul II. In addition, Archbishop Sambi was the papal legate in Israel who received Pope John Paul II on his historic visit to the State of Israel in the year 2000.

"Archbishop Sambi was a consummate diplomat even though he could often be unusually forthcoming for someone in his profession," said Rabbi Rosen. "He was a genuine friend of the Jewish people and a devoted advocate of Jewish-Christian reconciliation and cooperation. May his memory be for a blessing."

SOURCE American Jewish Committee