“The Church Does Not Tolerate Anti-Semitism": Pope Leo at Audience

Vatican, 30 October, 2025: During his catechesis at the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Leo XIV underscored the importance of Jewish-Catholic relations, warning against the influence of politics on them, and stressed how religions can collaborate to build a better world.

Marking sixty years since the Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on the Relation of the Church to Non-Christian Religions, 'Nostra Aetate', Pope Leo XIV noted, “all my predecessors have condemned anti-Semitism with clear words.” Speaking at St. Peter’s Square on 29 October, he added, “I too confirm that the Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights against it, on the basis of the Gospel itself.”

Focusing on interreligious dialogue, the Pope outlined how various faiths can work together for the common good and reiterated the significance of Jewish-Catholic relations.

“We cannot deny that there have been misunderstandings, difficulties, and conflicts” in the sixty years since 'Nostra Aetate', “but these have never prevented the dialogue from continuing,” he said. “Even today, we must not allow political circumstances and the injustices of some to divert us from friendship, especially since we have achieved so much so far.”

The Pope expressed gratitude to leaders and representatives of different faiths present at the General Audience.

Six Decades of Jewish-Catholic Dialogue

Pope Leo reflected that “today we can look with gratitude at everything that has been achieved in Jewish-Catholic dialogue during these six decades” since 'Nostra Aetate’s' publication in 1965. “This is due not only to human effort, but to the assistance of our God who, according to Christian conviction, is dialogue itself,” he said.

He highlighted that 'Nostra Aetate’s' “first focus” was “towards the Jewish world.” “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,” he added.

The Pope explained that the document emphasised the Catholic Church’s Jewish roots, as “the beginnings of her faith and her election are found already among the Patriarchs, Moses and the prophets.” It condemned all forms of anti-Semitism “directed against Jews at any time and by anyone,” not for “political reasons but by the Gospel’s spiritual love.”

Areas Where Religions Can Work Together

Reflecting on how religions can act together today, sixty years after 'Nostra Aetate', the Pope said, “The answer is simple: we can act together,” emphasising that “more than ever, our world needs our unity, our friendship, and our collaboration.”

He listed several areas of joint action, including alleviating human suffering, caring for the planet, teaching “truth, compassion, reconciliation, justice and peace,” and reaffirming “service to humanity, at all times.” He also urged vigilance “against the abuse of the name of God, of religion, and of dialogue itself, as well as against the dangers posed by religious fundamentalism and extremism.”

The Pope further stressed the need to address “the responsible development of artificial intelligence because, if conceived as an alternative to humans, it can gravely violate their infinite dignity and neutralize their fundamental responsibilities.”

He noted that religions “have an immense contribution to make to the humanization of technology and therefore to inspire its regulation, to protect fundamental human rights.”

The Need for Hope Today

Recalling that 'Nostra Aetate' had brought hope after the Second World War by opening “a new horizon of encounter, respect and spiritual hospitality,” the Pope said that today “we are called upon to rekindle that hope in our world, devastated by war and our degraded natural environment.”

“Our religions teach that peace begins in the human heart,” he emphasised. “We must restore hope to our personal lives, our families, our neighbourhoods, our schools, our villages, our countries and our world. This hope is based on our religious convictions, on the conviction that a new world is possible.”

He called on religions to unite: “If we are united, everything is possible. Let us ensure that nothing divides us,” urging that this “spirit of friendship and collaboration” be transmitted “to the future generation too, because it is the true pillar on which dialogue rests.”

He added that 'Nostra Aetate' “teaches us to meet the followers of other religions not as outsiders, but as travelling companions on the path of truth; to honour differences affirming our common humanity; and to discern, in every sincere religious search, a reflection of the one divine Mystery that embraces all creation.”

'Nostra Aetate', a Path for the Church Today

Pope Leo affirmed that 'Nostra Aetate' “continues to illuminate” the Church’s journey. “The Declaration invites all Catholics – bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and lay faithful – to involve themselves sincerely in dialogue and in collaboration with the followers of other religions, recognising and promoting all that is good, true, and holy in their traditions,” he said.

He noted that this was especially vital today, as people of different cultural and religious backgrounds live side by side. “'Nostra Aetate' reminds us that true dialogue is rooted in love, the only foundation of peace, justice, and reconciliation, whereas it firmly rejects every form of discrimination or persecution, affirming the equal dignity of every human being,” he added.

Drawing inspiration from the Gospel of John, where Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well, Pope Leo said the episode demonstrates “the barriers of culture, gender, and religion” being overcome. He explained that this encounter “reveals the essence of authentic religious dialogue,” showing “God’s presence beyond all boundaries and the invitation to seek him together with reverence and humility.”

He described the exchange as one based on “sincerity, attentive listening, and mutual enrichment,” where the Samaritan woman discovers a new understanding of worship “realised in Spirit and truth.”

Concluding his catechesis, the Pope invited those gathered to pause for silent prayer, noting that prayer “has the power to transform our attitudes, our thoughts, our words and our actions.”

Courtesy: Vatican News