Pope Francis on Judaism
TL;DR
Pope Francis actively cultivated deep friendships and promoted dialogue while strongly condemning all forms of antisemitism.
Key Points
He repeatedly condemned all forms of antisemitism as a sin against God, expressing hope that 'never again' would persecution be seen.
As Cardinal Bergoglio, he signed a public petition calling for justice following the 1994 terrorist attack on the AMIA Jewish center in Buenos Aires.
In a controversial August 2021 address, he stated that the Jewish law or Torah 'does not give life,' leading to distress among some Jewish leaders.
Summary
Pope Francis significantly advanced the Catholic Church's relationship with Jews through active promotion of dialogue and friendship, building upon the foundation of Nostra Aetate which repudiated centuries of anti-Jewish theology. He frequently met with Jewish leaders, paid a state visit to Israel in 2014, and co-authored a book on faith with Rabbi Abraham Skorka. The pontiff maintained that due to common roots, a Christian cannot be antisemitic, and he unequivocally condemned antisemitism as a sin against God, especially amid spikes in attacks.
However, the relationship was sometimes strained by theological statements and geopolitical stances; for instance, a 2021 homily suggesting the Torah was no longer life-giving caused distress, invoking concerns about supersessionism, though this was later clarified. His response to the Israel-Hamas war also drew criticism from some Jewish groups for perceived harshness toward Israel. Despite these tensions, his commitment to fighting antisemitism and maintaining personal bonds with Jewish leaders remained a defining feature of his papacy.
Key Quotes
“The path that the Church has walked with you, the ancient people of the covenant, rejects every form of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, unequivocally condemning manifestations of hatred toward Jews and Judaism as a sin against God,”
Frequently Asked Questions
Pope Francis held a strong, positive stance toward Judaism, emphasizing dialogue and friendship based on shared roots, which he actively pursued throughout his papacy. He insisted that Catholics must not be antisemitic, viewing Judaism as a distinct and honored spiritual path. However, this positive relationship was marked by some theological contradictions that caused concern among Jewish leaders.
Yes, Pope Francis was a vocal opponent of antisemitism, unequivocally condemning all forms of hatred toward Jews and Judaism, calling it a sin against God. He frequently referenced the need to remember the Holocaust and collaborate to eradicate antisemitism. This condemnation was a consistent feature of his public messages.
Pope Francis made comments in August 2021 suggesting the Mosaic Law, or Torah, does not offer fulfillment and leads only toward Christ. This assertion caused controversy, as it evoked supersessionist theology previously repudiated by the Church. He later clarified that the law remains an irrevocable gift from God, though the initial statement was seen as hurtful by some Jewish interlocutors.
Sources10
Pope Francis and the Jews
Pope Francis cultivated bonds between Catholicism, Judaism
Pope Francis And The Jewish Law (Torah)
Why Pope Francis mattered for the Jews
Why Pope Francis' comments on the Torah were hurtful to his Jewish friends
Pope Francis, who advanced church's relationships with Jews, dies at 88
Pope, in letter to Jews in Israel, condemns antisemitism as a sin
Israel's rabbinate asks Pope Francis to explain comments about Judaism
Why Pope Francis of Blessed Memory Was So Important to the Jews
Should Pope Francis Apologize to the Jewish People?
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.