WARSAW, Poland (AP) – Pope Francis’ visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau on Friday included an encounter with 25 Christian Poles who rescued Jews during the Holocaust – a powerfully symbolic meeting that Poland’s chief rabbi played a key role in orchestrating.
Rabbi Michael Schudrich, originally from the United States, had long hoped to see such a meeting in Poland between a pope and some of the remaining Poles who risked their own lives during the world to give aid to Jews.
Yad Vashem in Israel has recognized 6,620 Polish gentiles who sheltered Jews, so-called “Righteous Among the Nations.” Today fewer than 240 are still alive.
Remembering their sacrifices is an important part of Schudrich’s mission as head of Poland’s Jewish community, and he has often said that one can never do enough for them.
“This is something I have been thinking about for a while: what kind of non-material present, what kind of thank-you, can we give to the Righteous?” Schudrich told The Associated Press by phone on Friday shortly after he recited a psalm at Auschwitz-Birkenau in the presence of the pope.