Pope John Paul II warmly greeted Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Ephraim Evron, at a reception for the Washington diplomatic corps held at the residence of the Apostolic Delegate in the U.S., Jean Jodot, here Saturday night. Evron was one of the few among approximately 120 chiefs of missions of countries represented in Washington with whom the Pontiff stopped to chat on the receiving line.
As they shook hands in the conventional manner, the Pope grasped Evron’s hand in both of his and told the Israeli envoy about his warm feelings “for your people,” it was reported later by sources present at the reception. The Pope also said he was “familiar” with the Jewish people since his boyhood in Poland and that he wishes Israel all the best and for it to live in peace the sources said. Evron responded with thanks to the Pope on behalf of the people and government of Israel for his “kind words.”
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