Pope Leo: Church has special love and reverence for Jewish people

Pope Leo XIV says that the Catholic Church has a special connection with the Jewish people, rejects any form of antisemitism, and acknowledges “conflicts” in dialogue in recent times.

The pope devotes his general audience in St. Peter’s Square to the 60th anniversary of the landmark Nostra Aetate document, which rejected the concept of collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus, revolutionizing Catholic relations with Jews after centuries of persecution and mistrust.

“Nostra Aetate invites us to view every religion as a quest for truth, and to see every sincere seeker of God as one who reflects his divine mystery,” Leo says in the English part of his speech. “Because our Christian faith has its roots in God’s plan of salvation, which began with his chosen people, the Church has a special love and reverence for the Jewish people.”

Speaking in Italian, the pope also insists on rejecting any form of antisemitism and acknowledges that the recent period has been difficult for the dialogue between Catholics and Jews.

“The people of the New Testament are spiritually tied to Abraham’s line,” he says. “The Church, remembering the spiritual heritage that it shares with Jews and motivated not by political considerations but by evangelical religious love, condemns hatred, persecution and any form of antisemitism against Jews at any time and coming from anyone.”

“We cannot deny that in this period there have also been misunderstandings, difficulties and conflicts, but they never prevented the continuation of dialogue, and also today we cannot allow political circumstances and the injustices of some to distract us from our friendship,” the pope adds.

Since the Hamas October 7, 2023, atrocities, the Church’s relations with Israel and many Jewish leaders have become increasingly tense. Leo’s predecessor, Francis, who died in April, harshly criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.