Roberto Regoli: "In the new Vatican documentation, a worldwide network of support for Jews is discernible."Italian religious institutions hid thousands of Jews from the NazisHoly Land. Unattainable peace, the theme of the December issue of Omnes magazine.The Pope begins the letter to the Jews recalling that "we live in times of painful tribulations" and that "wars and divisions are increasing throughout the world". "We are, in fact, as I said some time ago, in a kind of 'world war in pieces,' with grave consequences for the lives of many populations," the Holy Father indicated.
In this regard, Francis made reference to the situation that is being experienced in Holy LandEven the Holy Land, unfortunately, has not been spared this pain, and since October 7 it has been plunged into an unprecedented spiral of violence. The Pope expressed his sorrow for these events: "My heart is torn to see what is happening in the Holy Land, by the force of so much division and hatred".
"These are sentiments that express a special closeness and affection for the people who inhabit the land that has witnessed the history of Revelation," the document continues.
The Holy Father then lamented that this situation has led to some anti-Semitic attitudes in the world: "Sadly, however, it must be said that this war has also produced in world public opinion attitudes of division, which sometimes lead to forms of anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism".
The link between Catholics and Jews
Faced with this situation, Francis recalled the close relationship that unites Catholics with Jews: "I can only reiterate what my Predecessors have also said clearly on several occasions: the relationship that unites us with you is special and unique, without ever obscuring, of course, the relationship that the Church has with others and the commitment also with them".
This bond makes the Church more strongly reject anti-Semitism: "The path that the Church has walked with you, ancient people of the covenant, rejects every form of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, unequivocally condemning manifestations of hatred towards Jews and Judaism as a sin against God."
Rejection of current anti-Semitism
For this reason, the Pope expressed his concern about current anti-Semitic attitudes: "Together with you, we Catholics are very concerned about the terrible increase in attacks against Jews throughout the world. We had hoped that 'never again' would be a refrain heard by new generations, and yet we now see that the road ahead demands ever closer cooperation to eradicate these phenomena."
Francis then stressed his closeness to the Holy Land: "My heart is close to you, to the Holy Land, to all the peoples who inhabit it, Israelis and Palestinians, and I pray that the desire for peace may prevail over all. I want you to know that you are close to my heart and to the heart of the Church. In the light of the many communications I have received from various Jewish friends and organizations throughout the world and of your letter, which I appreciate very much, I feel the desire to assure you of my closeness and affection".
Prayer for the return of the hostages
In addition, the Holy Father explained that he is praying for the return of the hostages and for the end of the war: "I embrace each and every one of you, especially those of you who are consumed by anguish, pain, fear and even rage. Words are so difficult to formulate in the face of a tragedy such as that which has occurred in recent months. Together with you, we mourn the dead, the wounded, the traumatized, beseeching God the Father to intervene and put an end to war and hatred, to these endless cycles that endanger the whole world. In a special way, we pray for the return of the hostages, rejoicing for those who have already returned home, and praying that all the others will soon join them."
Hope and appeal for peace
Moreover, towards the end of the document, the Pope called on us not to lose hope: "I would also add that we must never lose hope in a possible peace and that we must do everything possible to promote it, rejecting all forms of defeatism and mistrust. We must look to God, the only source of certain hope. [In times of desolation, we have great difficulty in seeing a future horizon in which light replaces darkness, in which friendship replaces hatred, in which cooperation replaces war. Yet we, as Jews and Catholics, are witnesses to that horizon. And we must build it, beginning first of all in the Holy Land, where together we want to work for peace and justice, doing everything possible to create relationships capable of opening new horizons of light for all, Israelis and Palestinians alike."
Concluding his letter to the Jews, the Pope pointed out that Jews and Catholics "must commit ourselves to this path of friendship, solidarity and cooperation in the search for ways to repair a broken world, working together in all parts of the world, and especially in the Holy Land, to recover the ability to see in the face of each person the image of God in which we have been created.
We still have much to do together to ensure that the world we leave to those who will come after us is a better world, but I am confident that we can continue to work together for this purpose."
