Pope Leo’s address to the
Delegation of the American Jewish Committee
Consistory Hall – Thursday, 22 October 2026
(Feast Day of St. John Paul II)
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Distinguished members of the American Jewish Committee,
It is a pleasure to welcome you to the Vatican on this day (John Paul II‘s feast day), when the church remembers my beloved predecessor in a special way.
His efforts contributed greatly to fostering the friendship between Jews and Catholics.
Addressing the Board of Governors of your Committee in 1995, he observed that “dialogue between Christians and Jews must find eloquent expression in the life of both our communities” (February 6. 1995).
His words remain relevant today, as evidenced by your organization’s commitment to dialogue and cooperation with the Catholic Church.
I therefore welcome this opportunity to express my gratitude to all those who continue to build sincere and respectful relationships between our communities.
This friendship, rooted in our shared spiritual heritage, this friendship also calls us to defend human dignity, to serve the poor, to protect religious freedom and to promote justice and peace.
Rejecting all forms of religious and ethnic hatred and discrimination is essential to this commitment.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration, Nostra Aetate, I affirmed that “the Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights against it, on the basis of the Gospel itself” (General Audience, October 29, 2025).
No matter how profound the differences of opinion may be, they must never give rise to prejudice and hostility, which undermine the moral foundations of our society
In a world wounded by violence and mistrust, our commitment to fraternity is especially urgent.
Indeed, the witness of our fraternity, which I hope we will be able to demonstrate through concrete actions, will certainly contribute to building a more peaceful world, which is something that all people of goodwill desire.” (Address to Representatives of Other Churches and Ecclesial Communities and of Other Religions, 19 May 2025).
With these thoughts, I thank you your visit. I assure you of my prayers. Shalom!
Footnote:
Pope Leo’s words on the 60th anniversary of “Nostra aetate” on October 29, 2025
“For the first time in the history of the Church, a doctrinal treatise on the Jewish roots of Christianity was to take shape, which on a biblical and theological level would represent a point of no return.
(Nostra Aetate, 4). A “bond … spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham’s stock.
Thus the Church of Christ acknowledges that, according to God’s saving design, the beginnings of her faith and her election are found already among the Patriarchs, Moses and the prophets”
In this way, the Church, “mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel’s spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone”.
Since then, all my predecessors have condemned anti-Semitism with clear words.
And so I too confirm that the Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights against it, on the basis of the Gospel itself.