Statement by World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder on the election of a new Pope
Thu, 14 Mar 2013
NEW YORK - World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder had the following reaction to the election of Argentinean Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the archbishop of Buenos Aires, as new Pope Francis I:
“On behalf of the World Jewish Congress and our affiliated Jewish communities and organizations in 100 countries world-wide I warmly congratulate Cardinal Bergoglio on his election as new pope. We look forward to continuing the close relationship that has been fostered between the Catholic Church and the Jews over the past two decades.
“Pope Francis I is no stranger to us. In recent years he attended many inter-faith events co-organized by the WJC and our regional affiliate, the Latin American Jewish Congress. I personally met with him in Buenos Aires in June 2008. He always had an open ear for our concerns. By choosing such an experienced man, someone who is known for his open-mindedness, the cardinals have sent an important signal to the world. I am sure that Pope Francis I will continue to be a man of dialogue, a man who is able to build bridges with other faiths.
“During the papacy of Pope Benedict XVI, Catholic-Jewish relations reached unprecedented levels. This was due to the determination of the pope to continue the work of his predecessor, John Paul II. We are convinced that new pontiff will continue on this path, that he will speak out against all forms of anti-Semitism both within and without the Catholic Church, that he will take action against clerics who deny or belittle the Holocaust, and that he will strengthen the Vatican’s relationship with Israel.
"We hope that Pope Francis I will soon be able to meet with us to discuss the challenges that lie ahead.”
About the World Jewish Congress
The World Jewish Congress (WJC) is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations. Since its foundation in 1936, the WJC has been at the forefront of inter-religious dialogue, notably with the Catholic Church.
We welcome any comments you may have on this article. Comments are moderated and we reserve the right to edit or remove any which are derogatory or offensive. The WJC is not responsible for the content of any comments.
Subscribe to our newsletter
WJC delegation led by Ronald S. Lauder meets Pope Francis at Vatican, thanking him for his great friendship and dedication to peace
World Jewish Congress to plant 18 olive trees in Israel in honor of Pope Francis.
'It is our duty as human beings to honor the victims of the Holocaust and make sure it never happens again'
WJC Jewish Diplomat Ela Cenudioglu reflects on Holocaust remembrance and the idea behind the World Jewish Congress #WeRemember campaign, after taking part in the Italian Jewish community's annual Run for Remembrance.
Jewish leaders meet Guatemalan president in support of Jerusalem embassy move - Jerusalem Post
WJC-North America executive director Betty Ehringberg remarked: "We are here working together with the Latin Coalition for Israel, the American Jewish community and Jewish and Christian leaders, celebrating understanding and mutual respect, and hoping that there are more countries that will follow the example of Guatemala.”
WJC President Ronald S. Lauder urges European leaders: 'Stand up and say strongly - hatred of Jews ends here and now'
Addressing participants at the Rome International Conference on Anti-Semitism, Lauder said: “New Europe is suddenly looking an awful lot like the Europe of the 1930s. As a Jew, I can think of nothing more dangerous.”
Jewish leaders meet Guatemalan president in support of Jerusalem embassy move - Jerusalem Post
WJC-North America executive director Betty Ehringberg remarked: "We are here working together with the Latin Coalition for Israel, the American Jewish community and Jewish and Christian leaders, celebrating understanding and mutual respect, and hoping that there are more countries that will follow the example of Guatemala.”
Remembering the Holocaust and today’s ‘stateless’ refugees | Menachem Rosensaft - Boston Herald
WJC General Counsel Menachem Rosensaft writes in the Boston Herald: 'Just as Jews are commanded at the Passover Seder to remember that we were slaves in Egypt, I can never forget that my parents and I were once stateless refugees.'
NYC monument honoring Nazi collaborator to remain in place - Times of Israel
Betty Ehrenberg, executive director of the World Jewish Congress in North America, told The Times of Israel that Petain’s name “should not be included with the memorials to those who truly deserve admiration and veneration.”
Joining WJC, Israeli soccer teams make Holocaust memorial project next goal - YNet
The Israeli soccer world has agreed to pitch in to the World Jewish Congress's biggest ever Holocaust memorial initiative, with back-to-back reigning champions Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi Haifa and Hapoel Katamon of Jerusalem all joining the international project with their players photographed with the hashtag leading the project—#WeRemember.
There are no comments
Fill up the form above and be the first one