Last Thursday, President Rivlin paid an official visit to the Vatican, which centered on a meeting with Pope Francis. The president was greeted at an official reception held at the Vatican by the Vatican's Swiss Honor Guard in their traditional uniform.
After the ceremony, Rivlin and the Pope were scheduled for a personal meeting that lasted about an hour in the Pope's private library room, and from there the president continued to meet with the Vatican Prime Minister.
An interesting anecdote was recorded on the sidelines of the president's visit: Rivka Ravitz, the president's ultra-Orthodox press secretary, who joined the visit to Rome.
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An insider said about the meeting with the Pope: "According to the rules of the ceremony, when you meet him, you should bow slightly and shake hands, but Rivka Ravitz, the head of Rubi Rivlin's office, when she approached him, put her hands behind her back, and because of the cross on his chest, she didn't even bow in the traditional manner, explaining to him that according to Jewish law she is forbidden to do so.".
According to the insider, the Pope was surprised. "He bowed to her and hid the cross, apologized, and told her that he never knew that there was such a rule among the Jews.".
The source added: "Ruvi Rivlin told the Pope that she is the daughter-in-law of one of the most important Orthodox leaders of the last century.".
This information was distributed in WhatsApp groups, and received mixed reactions.
Rivka Ravitz, who just landed in Israel with the president's entourage, says that she did explain that she was not shaking hands for religious reasons, and that the Pope understood and respected it, but she is not familiar with the rest of the text that was distributed.
Presidential Spokesperson: "I don't know who spread it, but it's not true. All the officials are informed in advance that she doesn't shake hands, and he also knew in advance, so he didn't submit.".
""Each of the guests was greeted in the same manner with the same handshake. That's his behavior. And he didn't speak a word to her or any member of the entourage.".
""It's true that he bowed like that, but it was the same with every member of his entourage, even with those who shook his hand. And it's true that she didn't shake his hand, like, for example, at every official reception we have. They make sure to convey through protocol channels that this is her custom and everyone respects it.".
""To me, that's a glorification of God in itself. The president must have introduced her, as he introduced every other member of the staff in the entourage.".
