This past Saturday, a World Jewish Congress (WJC) delegation joined religious and world leaders at the Vatican for the funeral of Pope Francis. Representing WJC were Claudio Epelman, WJC Commissioner for Interfaith Affairs and Executive Director of the Latin American Jewish Congress, and Viktor Eichner, head of WJC’s Vatican Office. The delegation attended alongside WJC's Italian affiliate, the Union of the Italian Jewish Community, as well as representatives of B'nai B'rith International and the American Jewish Committee, reflecting the Jewish community’s shared commitment to honoring a pontiff whose tenure was marked by efforts to deepen Catholic-Jewish relations.
Read Claudio Epelman's Personal Tribute to Pope Francis.
WJC and Pope Francis: A Relationship of Friendship and Respect
The World Jewish Congress’ relationship with Pope Francis began years before his papacy. As Archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio built a close bond with the Jewish community of Argentina, fostering personal friendships with Jewish leaders, including Claudio Epelman. He regularly attended Jewish commemorations, visited synagogues, and publicly condemned antisemitism.
Since his election as pope in 2013, Francis deepened these ties on a global level. Under his leadership, the Vatican emphasized the Church’s irrevocable rejection of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and supersessionist theology. He repeatedly described antisemitism as a sin against God and humanity, and he strengthened educational efforts within the Church to promote respect for the Jewish people.
One major milestone came in 2022, when the World Jewish Congress Executive Committee held a historic meeting at the Vatican — the first time a major WJC governance meeting was hosted there. During this occasion, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder presented Pope Francis with Kishréinu ("Our Bond"), a landmark document reaffirming the Jewish people's enduring relationship with the Catholic Church and the commitment to deepening mutual respect and dialogue. This event also coincided with the inauguration of WJC’s Vatican Office.
WJC and the Vatican: A Historic Relationship
The World Jewish Congress has worked to advance Jewish-Catholic relations for more than eight decades. A turning point in this relationship came with the Second Vatican Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate ("In Our Time") in 1965, which fundamentally transformed the Church’s approach to Judaism. Nostra Aetate rejected collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus, affirmed the eternal covenant between God and the Jewish people, and called for mutual understanding and dialogue.
Following this historic step, WJC established regular channels of dialogue with successive pontificates. Meetings and cooperative initiatives took place under Popes Paul VI, John Paul II — who was especially notable for his historic visit to the Rome synagogue in 1986 — and Benedict XVI, who emphasized theological continuity with Nostra Aetate while navigating complex interfaith challenges.
Through every stage, the WJC served as a bridge-builder, advocating for an open and respectful relationship that acknowledged past wounds while emphasizing shared moral and spiritual values.
Israel and the Vatican: The Current Context
Today, the relationship between Israel and the Vatican remains generally positive but complex — especially in the aftermath of October 7th.
The Vatican has expressed solidarity with victims of terrorism while also calling for the protection of civilians in Gaza and a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. At times, statements from Vatican officials have caused concern in Israel, particularly when perceived as lacking clarity in condemning Hamas' actions. Nevertheless, both Israel and the Holy See continue to recognize the importance of maintaining diplomatic ties and open dialogue.
The World Jewish Congress remains steadfast in its commitment to serve as a trusted interlocutor between the Jewish world and the Vatican. We will continue to work to deepen understanding, bridge gaps, and strengthen the shared values that bind Jews and Catholics together in pursuit of peace, justice, and mutual respect.
