President Yitzhak Navon has received a cable from Pope John Paul I wishing Navon and the people of Israel prosperity and happiness. Although it is customary for a new Pope to send good wish cables to heads of states, Jerusalem noted with satisfaction that the cable was addressed to “President Yitzhak Navon, the President of the State of Israel.” This was especially gratifying since the Vatican has not recognized the State of Israel and there are no diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Israel. In his cable, the Pope said that like his predecessors he, too, felt goodwill and appreciation toward Israel. He expressed confidence that Catholics in Israel would fulfill their duties to the State and in this way contribute generously to the prosperity and well-being of Israel.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.