[Cicero]

I can’t imagine anyone making a problem if an Orthodox Jew entered a Catholic Church in full regalia. This is more of a secular and political attitude than a religious one, IMHO.

[SJackson]

I can’t imagine anyone making a problem if an Orthodox Jew entered a Catholic Church in full regalia. This is more of a secular and political attitude than a religious one, IMHO.

As I noted on another thread, an observant Jew wouldn't enter with a tallit or tefillin because they're worn when praying, and he wouldn't go to a Church to pray. Many observant Jews wear a kippah or other head covering all the time, that wouldn't be allowed when visiting, for example, St. Peters.

Since this is one Rabbi's opinion, and people visit with cross' all the time, it's really not much of an issue.

[rmlew]

I could imagine there being a problem if the Chief Rabbi of Israel decided to pray in St. Peter's Basilica in full religious garb. Or what if he wanted to pray for the Jews buried under the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. I'm certain that the Armenian clerics would go nuts.

The Western Wall is the only remainder Jews have the Temple. it is holy ground in a way that no church is for Christians. It is all but equal to the Kaba for Muslims.

Still this is a contrived controversy as the pope will pray as he wishes.