Pope Francis met with a World Jewish Congress delegation to discuss the ban on the
religious slaughter of animals, which has incensed the Jewish minority
in Poland.The WJC says the Vatican is getting involved in a divisive issue in Poland.
The group said that Pope Francis instructed the Vatican office in charge of relations with Jewish people to host a meeting to discuss the ban, which Jews consider a violation of their religious freedom.
The Jewish minority in Poland has 20,000-30,000 members, the Muslim community represents a similar number.
Poland makes about €500 million ($650 million) per year exporting kosher and halal meat to Israel and to Muslim countries.
However the business has been at a standstill since ritual slaughter was banned in December last year under pressure from animal rights groups.