Interfaith dialogue and mutual support between leaders of religious and ethnic communities
Interfaith dialogue and mutual support between leaders of religious and ethnic communities is of great importance. In these days, we pray especially for the peace, well-being, and safe return of all those held captive or defending their homes, families, and people.
In October, the president of the World Jewish Congress, Ambassador Ronald S. Lauder, met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. Ambassador Ronald Lauder called on the Pope to continue to use his moral authority to demand the safe return of Israeli hostages held in Gaza following the HAMAS attack on the Jewish state. The Pope called for the release of all the hostages and more care for their fate. He previously recognized Israel’s right to self-defense.
The meeting coincided with the opening of the World Jewish Congress representation at the Holy See, marking the establishment of the first office of a Jewish organization on Vatican territory, deepening the ties between Judaism and Catholicism. This also came days after an emergency meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Jewish Congress in Zagreb, Croatia, where leaders from more than 40 Jewish communities gathered to formulate a unified response plan to the war and to strengthen support for Israel.
(photo https://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en)
Also in October, the president of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, MP Silviu Vexler, was received in a private audience by Pope Francis at the Vatican. During the meeting, current topics were discussed, including the “Year of Cardinal Iuliu Hossu” and the relations between the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania, the Holy See, and the Roman Catholic Church.
photo credit: Vatican Media
Silviu Vexler was joined at the meeting by IPS Claudiu Lucian Pop, bishop of the Greek Catholic Diocese of Cluj-Napoca, IPS Christian Crisan, bishop of the Major Archdiocese, and Mrs. Adina Lovin-Onsarcinat from the Romanian Embassy. at the Holy See.
Together, we pray for peace!
