Rabbi Dr. Abraham Skorka, Argentine chemist and author and a dear friend of Pope Francis, will join Masorti Olami, the world council of Conservative/Masorti synagogues and the Southern California interfaith community for programming Jan. 22-25.

During his stay, the rabbi will speak with groups at Loyola Marymount University and the Christ Cathedral and will lead Torah story at Valley Beth Shalom. Rabbi Dr. Skorka will be joined by Archbishop José H. Gomez, the fifth Archbishop of Los Angeles, Jan. 22 at Loyola Marymount University and by Bishop Kevin Vann Jan. 25 at the Christ Cathedral.

Throughout his time in California, the rabbi will discuss the Latino world’s impact on both religion and politics, speaking on the intersection of these two worlds and how religious leadership can influence policy.

Skorka is currently the rector of the Seminario Rabínico Latinoamericano Marshall T. Meyer, which trains Masorti/Conservative Rabbis, Cantors and educators in the Latin American Jewish Community. The rabbi and Pope Francis co-authored “On Heaven and Earth,” a book on interfaith dialogue.

They also produced and co-hosted more than 30 television shows in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2012, Pope Francis, then-Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, granted doctor honoris causa to Rabbi Skorka on behalf of the Catholic University of Argentina. In May 2014, Rabbi Skorka accompanied the pope as part of the papal entourage to the Middle East. On this historic tour, one of the major highlights was their joint prayer for peace at the Western Wall.

nEvents:

Loyola Marymount UniversityBurns Recreation Center Back Court1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles.7 p.m., Jan. 22.

Valley Beth Shalom15739 Ventura Boulevard, Encino.Jan. 23-24.

The Freed TheatreChrist Cathedral Campus13280 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove.7 p.m., Jan. 25.