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Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, leaves behind a notable legacy in fostering interfaith relations, particularly with Judaism and Islam. In a statement during a 2024 interreligious meeting in Singapore, he emphasized, "God is God for all; and if God is God for all, then we are all sons and daughters of God." This approach underpinned his 12-year leadership of the Catholic Church, marked by a deliberate outreach to the Abrahamic religions.
Menachem Rosensaft, an adjunct professor at Cornell Law School and general counsel emeritus of the World Jewish Congress, praised Pope Francis for viewing the Jewish community as family. This view was reinforced by his regular engagement with Jewish leaders and organizations, as well as his visits to synagogues. Rabbi Noam Marans of the American Jewish Committee highlighted Pope Francis' consistent condemnation of antisemitism, noting his unique perspective that questioned the rationale of antisemitic Christians.
Pope Francis’ relationship with the Jewish community was informed by personal historical awareness, illustrated in his autobiography that recounts his early understanding of the Holocaust. Rosensaft emphasized that this understanding fostered lifelong friendships with Jewish individuals, adding a unique dimension to his papacy.
Pope Francis also faced challenges in interfaith dialogue, particularly noted after the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel when his expressions of empathy were interpreted alongside his support for both Jewish and Palestinian suffering. Rabbi Marans acknowledged the complexities in the Pope’s message but recognized his overarching role as a pastor.
Pope Francis' efforts extended into Catholic-Muslim relations as well. He became the first pope to visit Iraq in 2021 to promote peace. His engagements included a 2019 meeting with Grand Mufti Ahmed al-Tayeb, resulting in a co-signed document on world peace, and involved consistent advocacy for interfaith dialogue based on the principles of 'Nostra Aetate'. Zeki Saritoprak of John Carroll University regarded Pope Francis’ personal style in fostering dialogue as a model for future pontiffs.
Maha Elgenaidi, founder of the Islamic Networks Group, commended the Pope for reaffirming 'Nostra Aetate' and cultivating warm relationships with Muslim leaders. She highlighted his commitment to addressing social issues, and together with Saritoprak, both hope future leaders will continue this path of interfaith solidarity for the benefit of humanity.
Kimberley Heatherington reports for OSV News from Virginia.
