On August 5, 2007 news arrived from France of the death of Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, the former archbishop of Paris, France, and one of the key figures in Jewish-Catholic relations in the last thirty years, both in Europe and worldwide. The cardinal was also an often controversial figure in interreligious dialogue, having been born Jewish and converted to Christianity as a young man. Cardinal Lustiger was an untiring and eloquent spokesperson for interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and received numerous rewards for his efforts. He was a great figure, highly respected in Europe and elsewhere.