VATICAN CITY – A delegation of the World Jewish Congress (WJC), headed by Mr. David Koschitzky, Chair of WJC North America, representing WJC President Ronald S. Lauder, and including Mrs. Noemi Di Segni, President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities (UCEI) & Member of the WJC Executive Committee, held a meeting earlier this week with Mgr. Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski, Undersecretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, on behalf of Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
The WJC leadership requested the meeting to share the concerns of Jewish communities about the impact of the media reports on Pope Francis’ forthcoming book Hope Never Disappoints, in which he affirms: “According to some experts what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies.”
The WJC delegation also reiterated the expectation of even-handedness when referring to conflicts. The delegation was heartened to hear reassurances from Mgr. Wachowski that in the media reports the pope’s words were taken out of context and misinterpreted. The delegation also welcomed the positive spirit of continued dialogue between the Holy See and the World Jewish Congress, dating back to the Second Vatican Council in 1965, in addressing matters of concern, and appreciates the ongoing commitment of Pope Francis and the Holy See to condemn all manifestations of antisemitism.
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