Pope Benedict XVI will reportedly visit a New York synagogue led by a rabbi who survived the Holocaust during his trip to the United States. His Holiness will make the visit as a sign of good will towards the local Jewish community and as an acknowledgment of the feast of Passover which begins at sundown on April 19.

"By this personal and informal visit, which is not part of his official program, His Holiness wishes to express his good will toward the local Jewish community as they prepare for Passover," said Monsignor David Malloy, general secretary of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

His Holiness’ visit at Manhattan's Park Street Synagogue is scheduled for April 18. Rabbi Arthur Schneier, the leader of the Manhattan synagogue, lived under Nazi rule in Hungary and emigrated in the U.S. after World War II.

The Pontiff was born and raised in Bavaria, the birthplace of the Nazi Party. During his youth, Benedict enrolled in the Hitler Youth and then in the German army in the last moths of the war, but against his will. In his memories, Benedict wrote that he deserted the army in the latest phases of the war.

During his first visit in the U.S. as Pontiff, His Holiness will also meet Jewish leaders in a separate meeting held in Washington on April 17.

This would be the second time Pope Benedict visits a synagogue since he was anointed as Pope of the Catholic Church. His Holiness first visited a synagogue in Cologne, Germany, in 2005.

During the Passover, Jews commemorate the escape from slavery when they were led by Moses on their way out of ancient Egypt.