The President of the State of Israel, President Shimon Peres, reacted to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI this evening and said:

 "I am saddened by the decision of Pope Benedict XVI to step down and wish him a long and healthy life. Pope Benedict has the depth of great thinker. The sincerity of a great believer. The passion of a peace maker, and wisdom to relate to changes in history, without changing his values. When Pope Benedict XVI visited Jerusalem and the Holy Land I welcomed him with a word common to both our faiths – shalom – and under his leadership the Vatican has been a clear voice against racism and antisemitism and a clear voice for peace. Relations between Israel and the Vatican are the best they have ever been and the positive dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Jewish people is a testament to his belief in dialogue and cooperation."