Pope Leo XIV meets with representatives of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York on Monday, thanking the organization for work to help vulnerable populations, and stressing that in a world still wounded by division and conflict, the Vatican II Declaration ‘Nostra aetate’ called us “to move beyond past misunderstandings toward collaboration for the common good.”
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Recognizing the inherent dignity of all men and women, Nostra aetate took a firm stand against antisemitism and declared that the Church rejects all forms of discrimination or harassment because of race, color, condition of life or religion.”
Pope Leo XIV gave this reminder when meeting with representatives of the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York on Monday morning in the Vatican.
Gratitude for helping vulnerable populations
The Holy Father welcomed them recalling that their organization serves as an instrument of global Jewish philanthropy, providing humanitarian aid and social services to vulnerable populations, including to the poor, refugees, the elderly, and people with disabilities, in New York, Israel and in more than seventy other countries.
Pope Leo meeting with representatives of the Federation (@Vatican Media)
“These efforts,” Pope Leo said, “reflect a clear recognition of human dignity and fraternity, resonating with the Church’s own commitment to integral human development and the call to love our neighbor.”
He recalled that this shared commitment carries special meaning in light of the common history of Christians and Jews and their spiritual ancestry in Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
Nostra aetate
The Holy Father pointed to the 1965 landmark document of the Second Vatican Council, the Declaration Nostra aetate on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions, whose sixtieth anniversary the Church celebrated last year.
He said it “opened up a new horizon of encounter, respect and spiritual hospitality,” and affirmed, among other things, “the truth that we belong to one human family,” and condemned antisemitism and all discrimination or harassment because of race, color, condition of life or religion.
Working for the common good together
“In a world still wounded by division and conflict,” Pope Leo emphasized, “it called us to move beyond past misunderstandings toward collaboration for the common good.”
With this sentiment, Pope Leo went on to describe service to the poor, marginalized and powerless “as a means of encountering the sacred,” noting that through them, the Divine voice continues to speak to us.
As the Holy Father drew his address to a close, he thanked them for their dedication to assisting the poor and needy, confronting hatred and intolerance, and working to build a better world for all.
“May your mission,” he said, “strengthen dialogue, deepen mutual understanding and contribute to the peace so greatly needed in our world.”
