Argentina Visit: Pope Leo XIV Affirms Ties With Israel
Addressing Jewish leaders in Buenos Aires, the pontiff reiterated the Catholic Church's spiritual connection to the Jewish people, a stance welcomed by local rabbis as antisemitic incidents rise in Europe.
By Rosa Fuentes ·
Jewish leaders in Argentina received a direct affirmation of the Catholic Church's relationship with the Jewish people from Pope Leo XIV during an interfaith gathering on Nov. 9. Speaking at San Martin Palace, the headquarters of Argentina's Foreign Ministry, the Pope addressed representatives from various religious communities. His remarks explicitly cited the Second Vatican Council as the foundation for this enduring spiritual bond.
The Pope stated that the Church maintains a sincere respect for what is holy and true in other religious traditions. This language, which references the council held between 1962 and 1965, provided a clear theological framework for the meeting. The address was delivered to an audience of approximately 100 religious leaders who gathered for the event.
Isaac Sacca, the chief rabbi of the Sephardic Community of Buenos Aires, described the statement as a pleasant surprise. He noted that the timing was meaningful because antisemitism is resurfacing in Europe. Sacca, who also serves as president of the Jewish youth organization Menora, said the gathering was moving on several levels. He observed that the diverse religious communities present demonstrated their ability to coexist in harmony before the Pope.
Rabbi Marcelo Polakoff, the commissioner for interreligious dialogue of the World Jewish Congress in Latin America, found comfort in hearing the Pope's words in person. Polakoff highlighted that the use of specific terminology honoring the People of Israel is not common in Church documents. He stated that this choice of language conveys a greater sense of closeness and continues the legacy of interreligious dialogue established by previous popes, including Francis, Benedict XVI, and John Paul II.
Pope Leo XIV also praised Argentina's history of religious and cultural diversity. He described the country as a meeting point of different peoples and traditions, shaped by Indigenous peoples and immigrants from around the world. The Pope noted that these groups, initially comprising Catholics, Protestants, and Jews, learned to work together and build communities. He characterized this process as an admirable blending of traditions with local customs.
Rabbi Ariel Stofenmacher, rector of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, drew a connection between the Pope's speech and Nostra Aetate, the 1965 Vatican document that recalibrated church relations with other religions. Stofenmacher said the Pope revisited the ideas behind that document and expressed gratitude for the spirit of brotherhood. He also noted that the Pope is showing leadership by addressing difficult social and family issues on a global scale.
The meeting included prominent representatives of Argentina's Jewish community, including officials from AMIA and DAIA. AMIA chief rabbi Eliahu Hamra said the Pope emphasized that religions are guardians of human integrity. The gathering opened with a live orchestra performing a tango by Astor Piazzolla, a musical choice intended to avoid religious elements and respect all faiths present. The event concluded with a minute of silence for world peace and the victims of violence.
