Pope Leo 14 sends letter to the Jews and speaks of strengthening ‘dialogue and cooperation’

Nostra Aetate was a reference document from the 1962-1965 Council that repudiated the concept of collective guilt of the Jews for Jesus’ death and encouraged dialogue with non-Christian religions.

The brief document revolutionized Catholic relations with the Jews after centuries of persecution and distrust. The dialogue in the next two decades enabled Pope John Paul 2º to become the first pontiff to visit a synagogue, giving a speech on the main temple of Rome in 1986, where he called the Jews “our beloved older brothers.”

After years of tense relationships, the Vatican and Israel signed a “fundamental agreement” in 1993 and exchanged full ambassadors the following year.

A Vatican source said Marans will participate in the inaugural Mass of Leão on Sunday. More than a dozen other Jewish leaders from around the world should also attend, according to the source.

It was not yet clear whether any Israeli government leader would participate in the Mass.

Although the late Pope Francis often condemned anti -Semitism, the relations between the Vatican and Israel sour after the beginning of the war in Gaza in 2023.