Pope Leo Condemns Antisemitism in Call With Israeli President
Pope Leo XIV held a telephone conversation on Wednesday with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, addressing rising concerns over antisemitic violence following a deadly attack on the Jewish community in Sydney. The exchange took place as Christians approach the Christmas season and Jewish communities observe Hanukkah, underscoring the shared sensitivity of the moment. During the call, the Pope reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s long-standing position against antisemitism, warning that such hatred continues to generate fear and insecurity among Jewish communities worldwide. The discussion reflected broader Vatican concern over the social and moral consequences of religiously motivated violence and its destabilizing effects beyond national borders. Vatican officials indicated that the Pope emphasized the need for moral clarity and institutional responsibility when confronting acts that target religious identity, particularly in societies that pride themselves on pluralism and coexistence.
The phone call followed an attack on December 14 at Bondi Beach in Sydney, where two assailants targeted a public gathering linked to Hanukkah celebrations, resulting in significant loss of life and numerous injuries. In the days after the incident, Pope Leo publicly prayed for the victims while meeting with groups involved in preparations for the Vatican’s Christmas celebrations. He used the occasion to denounce antisemitic violence in direct terms, urging the rejection of hatred at both personal and collective levels. Vatican messaging around the incident framed antisemitism not as an isolated security issue but as a persistent ethical failure that demands sustained attention from political leaders, religious institutions, and civil society alike, especially as incidents continue to emerge across multiple regions.
Beyond condemnation, the Pope also raised broader geopolitical concerns during his conversation with President Herzog, renewing appeals for persistence in ongoing peace efforts and for expanded humanitarian assistance in areas affected by conflict. Vatican officials highlighted that such appeals are consistent with the Holy See’s diplomatic approach, which seeks to combine moral witness with practical advocacy for human dignity. The Pope later sent a formal message of condolence to Australian authorities and the wider public, invoking prayers for peace and resilience. The episode reflects the Vatican’s continued engagement with global crises where religious intolerance intersects with security, humanitarian need, and long-term stability, positioning the Church as a moral actor responding to contemporary challenges without political alignment.
