Leo extends an Olive Branch
Is the Vatican trying to mend fences with Israel?
Pope Franics was certainly no friend of ours- Is Pope Leo going down a different road when it comes to Jews and antisemitism?
In a poignant address from St. Peter's Square today, Pope Leo XIV unequivocally condemned antisemitism as a scourge that the Catholic Church must combat "at any time and by anyone," signaling a deliberate Vatican effort to reset strained relations with Israel and the global Jewish community.
Speaking on the 60th anniversary of the landmark Vatican II document Nostra Aetate, which transformed Catholic-Jewish ties by rejecting centuries-old "deicide" accusations against Jews, Leo acknowledged "misunderstandings and conflicts" over Israel's war in Gaza while reaffirming the Church's "Gospel-mandated friendship" with Jews.
Pope Leo said, "The Catholic Church decries hatred, persecutions, displays of antisemitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone." He explicitly addressed recent frictions, stemming from Pope Francis's comments on the Gaza war, which some Jewish leaders viewed as equating Hamas's October 7, 2023, atrocities (killing 1,200 Israelis) with Israel's military response. Leo, who ascended to the papacy in May 2025 following Francis's death, framed the anniversary as a "call to action" against rising hate.
He pledged to "strengthen the Church’s dialogue and cooperation with the Jewish people in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council," echoing a May 2025 letter where he committed to building on predecessors like John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
Rabbi Noam Marans, the American Jewish Committee's director of interreligious affairs—who attended events in Rome for the milestone, hailed the remarks as "a big step forward," expressing hope for a "continued, firm position from the Vatican."
Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago (the first American pope), inherits this legacy with a fresh mandate. Elected after Francis's passing in April 2025, he has prioritized interfaith healing, as seen in his May inauguration vow to "rekindle" Catholic-Jewish bonds.
Leo's words land against a grim backdrop. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a record 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2024 alone, up 140% from 2022, with 58% tied to anti-Israel protests featuring chants like "From the river to the sea" and vandalism of synagogues.
Globally, the Kantor Center noted a 235% spike in 2024, fueled by the Israel-Hamas war.
In Europe, incidents rose 400% post-October 7, per France's CRIF.The Vatican-Israel rift, formalized in 1993's Fundamental Agreement, has weathered ups and downs, disputes over Jerusalem's status and property taxes, but the war exacerbated divides. Francis's calls for a Gaza ceasefire and aid access were welcomed by some but seen by others as insufficiently condemning Hamas. Leo's reset aims to bridge this, potentially paving the way for resumed high-level talks stalled since 2023
This condemnation isn't mere rhetoric; it's a strategic pivot. With Leo's American roots, the Vatican may leverage U.S. Jewish networks for broader outreach, countering isolation amid evangelical shifts and rising populism. Jewish leaders like Marans view it optimistically, but challenges persist.
As Leo wraps his address, quoting Psalm 122, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem," the message resonates: In a world fracturing along fault lines of faith and conflict, dialogue remains the sturdiest bridge. For now, it's a hopeful note in a discordant symphony, but sustained action will define if this reset endures.