Rabbi Toaff served as Chief Rabbi of Rome from 1951 till 2002 and played an essential role in rebuilding Jewish life in Italy in the aftermath of the Shoah.
On April 13, 1986 he welcomed Pope John Paul II to the Great Synagogue of Rome during the historic first visit of a reigning pope to a Jewish house of worship.
ICCJ makes its own the words of Renzo Gattegna, the president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities:
In these hours we mourn the death of an extraordinary man. He was a leader, a spiritual guide capable of making an impact on his times and the time of the future generations. Thank you Rav for everything you have done and represented. Your teachings will not be forgotten. May your memory be a blessing.
(quote from Pagine ebraiche – International Edition)