Pope Leo XIV meets Jewish Aid leaders, praises humanitarian work, condemns antisemitism, and calls for unity and shared action.
Newsroom (15/06/2026 Gaudium Press ) Pope Leo XIV on Monday welcomed representatives of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York, praising the organization’s humanitarian outreach while reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to interfaith solidarity, human dignity, and the rejection of antisemitism.
During the audience at the Vatican, the Pope expressed gratitude for the federation’s global efforts to assist vulnerable populations. He noted that the organization plays a significant role in providing humanitarian aid and social services to the poor, refugees, the elderly, and people with disabilities—not only in New York and Israel, but across more than seventy countries worldwide.
“These efforts,” Pope Leo XIV said, “reflect a clear recognition of human dignity and fraternity,” adding that such work resonates deeply with the Church’s longstanding commitment to integral human development and the moral imperative to love one’s neighbor.
Shared Roots and a Renewed Commitment
Highlighting the historical and spiritual bond between Christians and Jews, the Pope emphasized the shared heritage rooted in the biblical figures of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. This common ancestry, he suggested, provides a foundation for ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the two faith traditions.
The meeting also served as an opportunity to revisit Nostra aetate, the landmark 1965 declaration from the Second Vatican Council on the Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions. Pope Leo XIV noted that the document, whose 60th anniversary was marked last year, fundamentally reshaped Catholic engagement with Judaism and other faiths.
He described Nostra aetate as opening “a new horizon of encounter, respect and spiritual hospitality,” underlining its affirmation that all people belong to a single human family. The declaration also took a decisive stance against antisemitism and denounced all forms of discrimination based on race, color, social condition, or religion.
A Call to Move Beyond Division
“In a world still wounded by division and conflict,” the Pope said, Nostra aetate continues to call communities to “move beyond past misunderstandings toward collaboration for the common good.”
This appeal for unity was central to his address, as he encouraged the delegation to see their humanitarian work not only as service, but as a form of spiritual encounter. According to Pope Leo XIV, reaching out to the poor and marginalized offers a way to encounter the sacred, suggesting that the divine voice is often revealed through those most in need.
Confronting Hatred Through Action
The Pope concluded his remarks with a message of encouragement and gratitude, commending the federation’s dedication to confronting hatred and intolerance while building bridges across communities.
He expressed hope that their continued efforts would strengthen dialogue and deepen mutual understanding between religious traditions, contributing to a more peaceful global society.
“May your mission,” he said, “strengthen dialogue, deepen mutual understanding and contribute to the peace so greatly needed in our world.”
The meeting underscored the enduring importance of interfaith cooperation in addressing global challenges, with both religious leaders and humanitarian organizations playing a vital role in promoting unity, dignity, and compassion in an increasingly fractured world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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