Pope Leo XIV reaffirmed the spiritual connection between the Catholic Church and the people of Israel during an interfaith gathering in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The statement, delivered on November 9, drew significant attention from Jewish leaders who view the remarks as particularly meaningful amid a resurgence of antisemitism in Europe and other regions.
Speaking to approximately 100 religious leaders at the San Martin Palace, the headquarters of Argentina's Foreign Ministry, the Pope cited the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. He stated that the Church maintains a sincere respect for what is holy and true in various religious traditions. The Second Vatican Council, which took place from 1962 to 1965, significantly shaped the Church's approach to the modern era.
Isaac Sacca, the chief rabbi of the Sephardic Community of Buenos Aires and president of the Menora Jewish youth organization, described the Pope's words as a pleasant surprise. He noted that the timing was especially important as antisemitism resurfaces in parts of the world. Sacca added that the gathering was moving because it demonstrated how different religious communities in Argentina coexist in harmony before the pontiff.
Rabbi Marcelo Polakoff, who serves as the commissioner for interreligious dialogue of the World Jewish Congress in Latin America, found the Pope's use of specific terminology striking. He observed that referring to the honor of the people of Israel is not common in Church documents, suggesting a greater sense of closeness. Polakoff stated that the Pope is continuing the strong legacy of interreligious dialogue established by his predecessors, including John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis.
During the address, Pope Leo XIV highlighted Argentina's history as a melting pot of races, cultures, and religions. He described the nation's identity as being formed by Indigenous peoples and immigrants who arrived over the centuries with their dreams and faith. The Pope noted that early settlers, including Catholics, Protestants, and Jews, learned to work together and build communities, blending their traditions with local customs in an admirable manner.
The gathering included prominent representatives from Argentina's Jewish community, such as officials from AMIA, the main Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, and DAIA, the political umbrella organization for the community. AMIA chief rabbi Eliahu Hamra said the Pope emphasized that religions act as guardians of human integrity, protecting the dignity of every person in spiritual, social, and communal dimensions.
Rabbi Ariel Stofenmacher, rector of the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, connected the Pope's speech to Nostra Aetate, the 1965 Vatican document that recalibrated the Church's relations with other religions. He noted that the Pope revisited the ideas behind that document while expressing gratitude for the spirit of brotherhood. Stofenmacher also viewed the Pope as a global leader who addresses difficult social and family issues without fear.
The event began with a live orchestra performing a tango by the iconic composer Astor Piazzolla. This distinctly Argentine musical choice was selected to avoid associating the ceremony with any single religious tradition. The meeting concluded with a minute of silence dedicated to world peace and the victims of violence.
This interfaith meeting was part of a broader schedule for the Pope's four-day visit to Argentina, which began on November 8 following a trip to Uruguay. Prior to the gathering, the Pope visited a residential care facility for people with disabilities and celebrated Mass at Palermo Park, where an estimated crowd of more than two million people attended.
The Pope's itinerary continued on Tuesday in Cordoba province, where he celebrated Mass before returning to Buenos Aires. On Wednesday, he planned to visit the city of Lujan for another Mass before departing for Lima, Peru. Lima serves as the final stop on his current South American tour.
