By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis emphasized the vital role of dialogue in achieving peace as he addressed a delegation of the Conference of European Rabbis during a visit to the Vatican. He expressed his deep concern about the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land and condemned the spread of anti-Semitic demonstrations triggered by the situation. While Pope Francis had a cold and felt unwell during the meeting, he continued to greet the European Rabbis individually.
In his prepared remarks, the Pope highlighted the need for believers to promote reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in a time of violence and destruction. He stressed that humanity, by its very nature, is inherently inclined towards dialogue. Pope Francis also discussed the significance of Jewish-Christian dialogue, noting that Christians share Jewish roots and highlighting the theological, social, cultural, and political aspects of this dialogue. He referred to the words of Pope St. John Paul II, who characterized Jewish-Christian relations as a “family dialogue.” The Pope concluded by emphasizing that Jews and Christians are linked to each other by their shared connection to the one God and their mission to bear witness to His Word and His peace.
