JERUSALEM — Israel's Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger on Monday praised Pope Benedict's inter-religious outreach following the pope's resignation announcement.

"During his period [as pope] there were the best relations ever between the church and the chief rabbinate and we hope that this trend will continue," a spokesman quoted Metzger. "I think he deserves a lot of credit for advancing inter-religious links the world over between Judaism, Christianity and Islam."

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Metzger wished the pope "good health and long days," the spokesman said.