Representatives of the Jewish community of West Germany are expected to be received by Pope John Paul II when he visits the Federal Republic next month. According to an official program released in Cologne, the meeting will take place in the city of Asnabrueck. The Pope is scheduled to visit several West German cities and for one or two days will be the guest of the government in Bonn where he will probably meet with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt.
There was no immediate comment by Jewish community leaders on the expected meeting between the pontiff and Jewish representatives. However, young Jewish activists have expressed the wish that the Jewish delegation would discuss with the Pope the role of the Catholic church during the Nazi era. Other issues expected to be discussed include the relations between Christians and Jews.
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