Christians cannot be anti-Semites, Pope says

June 24, 2013

“Due to our common roots, a Christian cannot be anti-Semitic,” Pope Francis said on June 24 as he met with members of the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations.

The Pope said that the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate was “a key point of reference” for Catholic relations with Judaism. Regarding the role of the Jews in the history of salvation, the Pontiff recalled the document’s reference to St. Paul, and his teaching that “the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” Pope Francis said that during his years as Archbishop of Buenos Aires he had come to regard Jewish leaders as important friend an allies in a quest to “keep an awareness of God alive in a world now secularized in many ways.”

 

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Further information:

• Holy Father: “Due to Our Common Roots, a Christian Cannot Be Anti-Semitic!” (VIS)
• Pope says Christians can't be anti-Semites (ANSA)