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2012-01-03

Jerzy Kluger, John Paul II’s friend, passes away

On December 31st, Jerzy Kluger, who was a close friend of the Polish Pope John Paul II in their childhood and teenage years in Wadowice, died. The funeral ceremony was held in Rome yesterday.

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Jerzy Kluger, who became very ill recently, lived in Rome for most of his life. He played a central role in the life of Karol Wojtyla. Their friendship and their first encounter after many years from their childhood, was the fountainhead of the Catholic-Jewish dialogue. The war separated the two friends for over twenty-five years. Afterwards, they met each other in the Vatican on a regular basis. In 2003, Jerzy Kluger, who also contributed to creating diplomatic relations between the Vatican City and Israel, was awarded the ‘Reconcilliation Person’ title by the Polish Council for Christians and Jews. It was at that time that his involvement in many papal initiatives for the benefit of the reconcilliation of Christians and Jews and, consequently, his indirect influence on shaping the Pope’s worldview, were highlighted. By the same token, his influence on the Church’s teachings on the relation between Judaism and Christianity were also remembered. He met with John Paul II a few days before the Pope’s death.

Source: PAP

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