Pope Leo renews Church’s condemnation of anti-Semitism

October 23, 2026

In an audience with leaders of the American Jewish Committee, Pope Leo XIV renewed his condemnation of anti-Semitism and called for the rejection of “all forms of religious and ethnic hatred and discrimination.”

The Pontiff expressed “gratitude to all who continue to build relationships, grounded in sincerity and mutual respect, between our respective communities. 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.”

Pope Leo added:

Essential to this commitment is the rejection of all forms of religious and ethnic hatred and discrimination. In this regard, on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Declaration Nostra Aetate from the Second Vatican Council, I affirmed that “the Church does not tolerate anti-Semitism and fights against it, on the basis of the Gospel itself” (General Audience, 29 October 2025).

Differences of opinion, however profound, must never give rise to prejudice and hostility, which undermine the moral foundations of our society. In a world wounded by violence and mistrust, this commitment to fraternity is especially urgent.

“It is particularly poignant that we are able to reaffirm our joint commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations in person not only with Vatican officials, but with Pope Leo himself, who on the occasion of his inauguration reached out directly to AJC and the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Noam Marans, the American Jewish Committee’s director of interreligious affairs.

“AJC is deeply moved that this group of Jewish leaders was welcomed to a papal audience while His Holiness continues to recover, and is among the first to meet him as he resumed his schedule of public meetings—a clear demonstration of the value he places on maintaining and fostering the enduring relationship between the Church and the Jewish people,” Rabbi Marans added.

 

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Further information:

• To the Delegation of the American Jewish Committee (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 10/22/26)
• Audience with a delegation from the American Jewish Committee (Holy See Press Office, 10/22/26)
• Pope to American Jewish Committee: ‘We reject together all forms of hatred’ (Vatican News, 10/22/26)
• AJC Leaders Meet with Pope Leo XIV (American Jewish Committee, 10/22/26)