Pope Francis on Monday wished Jews worldwide a “sweet and peaceful” Rosh Hashana, which is the Jewish New Year, citing “important decisions lying ahead.” The pope also called for “increased dialogue among the world’s religious communities” and pledged to oppose restrictions on religious freedom, according to a statement released by the World Jewish Congress after a private meeting at the Vatican. Ronald S. Lauder, president of the Jewish group, said the pope’s leadership had “given a new momentum to relations with Judaism.” He said of the Roman Catholic Church that the “leadership of successive popes over the past five decades has helped to overcome a lot of prejudice.” At the meeting the pope also said the Vatican would investigate the ban on the religious slaughter of animals in Poland, which has incensed Jews.