Pope Francis on Monday condemned a "worrying" resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and urged the continuation of dialogue between Christians and Jews.
Speaking during a meeting with the Conference of the European Rabbis (CER), a first since the organisation was founded in 1956, the pope called on all Christians to stand firm against anti-Semitism.
"The anti-Semitic tendencies and certain acts of hatred and violence in Europe are of concern. Every Christian cannot but be firm in the condemnation of all forms of anti-Semitism," he said.
He urged the two faiths to continue the dialogue that had progressed "systematically for almost half a century".
Pope Francis has made interfaith dialogue a cornerstone of his papacy and has spoken out against anti-Semitism in the past.
Monday's comments come comes after a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in Europe.
In January, four Jews were killed in a series of Islamist attacks in Paris and the following month a Jewish man was killed outside a synagogue in twin shootings in Copenhagen.
Moscow's Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who is also president of CER, said Jews in Europe were the "collateral damage" of an anti-Muslim offensive orchestrated by the extreme right.
The CER is one of the leading voices of Judaism in Europe and brings together more than 700 Jewish religious leaders.
Pope Francis on Monday condemned a “worrying” resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and urged the continuation of dialogue between Christians and Jews.
Speaking during a meeting with the Conference of the European Rabbis (CER), a first since the organisation was founded in 1956, the pope called on all Christians to stand firm against anti-Semitism.
“The anti-Semitic tendencies and certain acts of hatred and violence in Europe are of concern. Every Christian cannot but be firm in the condemnation of all forms of anti-Semitism,” he said.
He urged the two faiths to continue the dialogue that had progressed “systematically for almost half a century”.
Pope Francis has made interfaith dialogue a cornerstone of his papacy and has spoken out against anti-Semitism in the past.
Monday’s comments come comes after a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in Europe.
In January, four Jews were killed in a series of Islamist attacks in Paris and the following month a Jewish man was killed outside a synagogue in twin shootings in Copenhagen.
Moscow’s Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who is also president of CER, said Jews in Europe were the “collateral damage” of an anti-Muslim offensive orchestrated by the extreme right.
The CER is one of the leading voices of Judaism in Europe and brings together more than 700 Jewish religious leaders.
