Pope Francis affirms ‘inseparable bond’ between Christians and Jews

Pope Francis has visited Rome’s Great Synagogue, stressing that the Church recognises God’s “irrevocable” covenant with Israel along with the unique relationship between Christians and Jews. Francis became the third Pope to visit the city’s synagogue last Sunday following John Paul II in 1986 and Benedict XVI in 2010, writes Christopher Lamb.

In his address to the gathering, the Pope said that Jewish-Catholic dialogue was “close to my heart” and called for Jews and Catholics to collaborate in furthering peace in the Holy Land, combating terrorism and protecting the environment. During his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Francis developed close relations with the Jewish community.

On Sunday, the Pope explained  that the Second Vatican Council had rejected all forms of anti-Semitism. “Christians,” he said, “need to refer to their Jewish roots if they are to understand themselves; and the Church, whilst professing salvation through faith in Christ, recognises the irrevoc­ability of the Old Covenant and God’s unwavering and faithful love for Israel.”

 “It is clear there is an insepar­able bond between Christians and Jews,” he added.

Church dialogue with Jews has radically changed over the last 50 years following Vatican II’s declaration Nostra Aetate, which condemned all forms of anti-Semitism. “You are our elder brothers and sisters in the faith. Indeed, we all belong to one family, the family of God, who accompanies and protects us, his people,” the Pope said. “From ­enemies and strangers we have become friends and brothers.”

At the synagogue, Pope Francis referred to an “important” document released last month by the Vatican on Catholic-Jewish relations, which said the Church had no “institutional mission” to Jews.
Francis this week was formally invited to visit the Grand Mosque in Rome. The imam said the visit would take place on 27 January.