Nicole Jansezian reports

"Here the paths of the world's three great monotheistic religions meet, reminding us what they share in common," Benedict XVI said while visiting with Muslim leaders.

The Pope at the Heichal Shlomo synagogue. Photo credit: Government Press Office

Afterward at the Heichal Shlomo synagogue, Benedict reaffirmed Christian-Jewish cooperation and "lasting reconciliation" between the two faiths as he met with the two chief rabbis of Israel, Yona Metzger and Shlomo Amar.

"Jews and Christians alike are concerned to ensure respect for the sacredness of human life, the centrality of the family, a sound education for the young, and the freedom of religion and conscience for a healthy society," he said. "An indication of the potential of this series of meetings is readily seen in our shared concern in the face of moral relativism and the offences it spawns against the dignity of the human person."

The Pope noted the Christian population in Israel which also values "opportunities for dialogue with their Jewish neighbors."

Metzger, the chief Ashkenazi rabbi, thanked the Pope for his visit to "the eternal capital of the Jewish people," Jerusalem, in contrast to Tamimi who, the previous night, claimed Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Metzger thanked Benedict for preventing the return to the Catholic Church of the Holocaust denier Bishop Richard Williamson to his position as an example to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"Had you not done so a message may have been understood by another Holocaust denier, the president of Iran, granting legitimacy to his sinful declarations of his will and intention to destroy our country," he said.