New Pope Leo Vows to Deepen Catholic-Jewish Dialogue

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff in history, has made a powerful gesture to the global Jewish community, pledging to deepen and renew the Catholic Church’s interfaith dialogue with Jews. The announcement comes at a time of strained relations between Israel and the Vatican following criticism of the Gaza war under Pope Francis’s leadership.

In a letter addressed to Rabbi Noam Marans, Director of Interreligious Affairs at the American Jewish Committee (AJC), Pope Leo reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of Nostra Aetate the groundbreaking Second Vatican Council declaration that repudiated collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus and called for mutual respect between faiths.

“Trusting in the assistance of the Almighty,” Pope Leo wrote, “I pledge to continue and strengthen the Church’s dialogue and cooperation with the Jewish people in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate.”

The AJC, one of the world’s most prominent Jewish advocacy organizations, welcomed the letter with heartfelt appreciation. “We are deeply moved that Pope Leo XIV, so early in his papacy, has reaffirmed his commitment to Catholic-Jewish relations,” the AJC posted on social media. “As we approach the 60th anniversary of this landmark declaration, we look forward to working together to deepen understanding and cooperation.”

Pope Leo’s message is a significant step toward restoring trust after the Vatican’s relationship with Israel grew tense in recent years. Under Pope Francis, the Holy See had voiced pointed criticisms of Israel’s military operations against Hamas, with Francis even suggesting in 2023 that the international community examine if Israel’s actions constituted genocide.

Despite this backdrop, more than a dozen global Jewish leaders, including Rabbi Marans, are expected to attend Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass on Sunday. Israeli President Isaac Herzog has also confirmed his attendance at the pope’s coronation ceremony next week, signaling Jerusalem’s openness to a new chapter of Vatican-Israel relations.

The pope’s reaffirmation of Nostra Aetate which made it possible for Pope John Paul II to visit Rome’s synagogue in 1986 and refer to Jews as “our beloved elder brothers” is a meaningful nod to a powerful legacy of reconciliation between two of the world’s oldest faith communities.

For Israel and the Jewish people, Leo’s message marks not just a return to dialogue, but a chance to renew a partnership rooted in shared values, historical depth, and spiritual kinship.

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