Pope condemns anti-Judaism, antisemitism amid new wave of attacks against Jews

'We had hoped that 'never again' would be a refrain heard by the new generations,' pontiff writes in letter to Jewish population of Israel
Pope Francis condemned all forms of anti-Judaism and antisemitism, labeling them as a "sin against God", after noticing an increase in attacks against Jews around the world.
<< Follow Ynetnews on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok >>
More stories:
"(The Church) rejects every form of anti-Judaism and antisemitism, unequivocally condemning manifestations of hatred toward Jews and Judaism as a sin against God," the pontiff wrote in a letter to the Jewish population of Israel dated Feb. 2 and made public on Saturday.
2 View gallery
האפיפיור פרנציסקוס
האפיפיור פרנציסקוס
Pope Francis
(Photo: Kazakhstan Presidential Office)
"Together with you, we, Catholics, are very concerned about the terrible increase in attacks against Jews around the world. We had hoped that 'never again' would be a refrain heard by the new generations," he added.
The Pope noted that wars and divisions are increasing all over the world "in a sort of piecemeal world war", hitting the lives of many populations.
Francis, 87, has condemned Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack from Gaza into southern Israel. He has also said on several occasions that a two-state solution was needed to put an end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In his letter, the pope also called, once again, for the release of those hostages still being held by terrorists.
2 View gallery
הפגנה נגד ישראל בבז'נבה, שוויץ
הפגנה נגד ישראל בבז'נבה, שוויץ
Pro-Palestinian protest in Geneva, Switzerland
(Photo: EPA /MARTIAL TREZZINI)
He said his heart was torn at the sight of the conflict in the Holy Land and the division and hatred stemming from it, adding that the world was looking at the unfolding of events in the area with "apprehension and pain."
He assured the Jewish community of his closeness and affection, "particularly (those) consumed by anguish, pain, fear and even anger", repeating his call for the end of the war.
Francis said he prayed for peace. "My heart is close to you, to the Holy Land, to all the peoples who inhabit it, Israelis and Palestinians, and I pray that the desire for peace may prevail in all."
Comments
The commenter agrees to the privacy policy of Ynet News and agrees not to submit comments that violate the terms of use, including incitement, libel and expressions that exceed the accepted norms of freedom of speech.
""