Pope Francis’ Letter to His Jewish Brothers and Sisters in Israel

Pope Francis recently sent a letter to Karma Ben Johanan, a teacher at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, who was the coordinator of an open letter from over 400 Jewish rabbis and scholars to the pope. In his letter, the pope expresses his concern about the escalating violence and division in the world, including the Holy Land. He acknowledges the pain and suffering caused by the ongoing conflict and condemns any form of anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism. The pope emphasizes the special relationship between Catholics and Jews and calls for collaboration to combat these hateful acts. He expresses his solidarity with the people of the Holy Land, both Israelis and Palestinians, and prays for peace to prevail. The pope also encourages hope and urges everyone to work towards peace, rejecting defeatism and mistrust. He believes that together, Jews and Catholics can create a better world by fostering friendship, solidarity, and cooperation. The pope concludes by expressing his confidence in their ability to continue working together towards this goal.America Magazine