At Pope Leo XIV’s inaugural Mass, Jewish leaders show hope in Jewish-Catholic relations

Jewish leaders got up-front seats at Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass.

An American rabbi there and other representatives saw that as a hopeful sign for an upswing of Catholic-Jewish relations under the first U.S.-born pontiff, after a strained relationship with his predecessor.

With growing antisemitic rhetoric and attacks in various countries, as well as mounting international criticism of Israel›s conduct in its war with Hamas, the moral voice of the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics can make a real difference, they said.

“It can save Jewish lives,” Rabbi Noam Marans, the American Jewish Committee’s director of interreligious affairs, told The Associated Press.

Wearing his kippah, he attended Sunday’s Mass at St. Peter’s Square only days after he received a letter from newly elected Leo highlighting the importance of dialogue and cooperation.

Marans was on hand when Leo met yesterday with faith leaders who came to Rome for his inaugural Mass and vowed to continue the Vatican’s dialogue and emphasis on fraternity with people of other faiths.

“No pope had ever written to an American rabbi in this way,” Marans said.