Pope Leo XIV: Following St. John Paul II, the Church’s dialogue with Jews must continue

Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Church’s stance against antisemitism and all forms of religious discrimination, recalling the work of St. John Paul II in promoting dialogue between Catholics and Jews.

The pontiff held a private audience on Thursday with a delegation from the American Jewish Committee, one of several meetings he has held with Jewish leaders since his election as pope in 2025.

During the audience, coinciding with the liturgical feast day of St. John Paul II, Leo praised the Polish pope’s efforts to advance Catholic-Jewish dialogue, recalling his address to their delegation in 1995.

“ Addressing the board of governors of your committee in 1995, he observed that ‘dialogue between Christians and Jews must find eloquent expression in the life of both our communities,’” Leo said in his address .

“These words remain relevant today, as reflected in your organization’s long-standing commitment to dialogue and cooperation with the Catholic Church.”

An image of St. John Paul II is visible in a side chapel of the Church of Santo Spirito in Sassia in Rome. | Credit: Courtney Mares/EWTN News

As he did in June during a meeting with the United Jewish Appeal-Federation…