Pope Francis has written to the Chief Rabbi of Rome to wish the Eternal City’s Jewish community – and by extension the global community – a happy Pesach, or Passover. A telegram signed by Pope Francis and addressed to Riccardo Di Segni reads:

“As the great feast of Passover approaches I would like to extend my most cordial greetings of peace to you and all the Jewish Community of Rome. The memory of the liberation from oppression by the strong arm of the Lord inspires thoughts of mercy, reconciliation and fraternal closeness to all those who suffer under the weight of new [forms of ] slavery. Turning our thoughts to Jerusalem, which I will have the joy of visiting in the near future, I ask you to accompany me with your prayers while I assure you of my thoughts and invoke abundant blessings”

Passover 2014 begins at sundown on Monday, April 14th. It lasts 8 full days and commemorates the Exodus of the ancient Israelites from their slavery in Egypt.