Pope Leo XIV stated Wednesday that recent conflicts in the Middle East have left deep marks on Jewish-Christian dialogue, creating additional divergences among followers of the two faiths due to differing views on ongoing wars in the region.
A new decree issued by three major Vatican offices and approved by the pope to mark the Catholic Church's efforts toward interfaith dialogue acknowledged the strain. "Many communication channels have been placed under pressure," the document stated. "However, the pillars of dialogue among the faithful, built through 60 years of joint effort, have remained firm. On these foundations, it is possible and necessary to continue building."
The decree was issued on the anniversary of a 1965 Church document credited with significantly improving relations between Jews and Christians after centuries of hostility. The new document did not specify which particular Middle East conflicts it referenced.
The pope reiterated condemnation of antisemitism and Islamophobia in the decree. The document characterized the fight against antisemitism as a "common struggle" for Jews and Christians. It also stated that attitudes of Islamophobia "fail to distinguish" between incidents of extremist violence and everyday life.
Pope Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States, has previously criticized the war against Iran, drawing criticism from President Donald Trump on social media. The Wednesday decree represents the Church's formal acknowledgment of how regional conflicts have affected interfaith relations while affirming the continuation of dialogue efforts established over six decades.