On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Pope Leo XIV led a historic commemoration in Rome, marking the 60th anniversary of the Vatican document Nostra Aetate, a text credited with transforming the Catholic Church’s relationship with Jews and laying the groundwork for interfaith dialogue. The anniversary arrived at a time of heightened tension, as antisemitism surges worldwide, much of it linked to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The day’s events unfolded in two parts, each symbolizing the Church’s continued commitment to peace and understanding. First, Pope Leo XIV joined religious leaders from over a dozen faith traditions at the Colosseum, where they issued a collective appeal for peace. Later, the Pope presided over an evening event at the Vatican, focusing on the enduring significance of Nostra Aetate.
Issued in 1965 during the Second Vatican Council, Nostra Aetate—Latin for “In Our Time”—marked a watershed moment for the Catholic Church. The document unequivocally repudiated the longstanding “deicide” charge, which had blamed Jews as a people for the death of Christ, and condemned antisemitism in all its forms. According to the Associated Press, the document was crafted as the Church reckoned with the role that traditional Christian teachings had played in fueling centuries of antisemitism, including their contribution to the Holocaust. Its impact has been profound, fostering improved relations between Christians and Jews for six decades.
In his remarks on Tuesday night, Pope Leo XIV described the document as “historic,” emphasizing that it was the first time the Vatican had provided a theological basis for recognizing the Jewish roots of Christianity. “This historic document, therefore, opened our eyes to a simple yet profound principle: dialogue is not a tactic or a tool, but a way of life—a journey of the heart that transforms everyone involved, the one who listens and the one who speaks,” he said, as reported by the Associated Press. The Pope stressed that Nostra Aetate “takes a firm stand against all forms of antisemitism” and insisted that its message remains “highly relevant today.”
The timing of this anniversary is especially poignant. The world has witnessed a dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and the subsequent Israeli military campaign in Gaza. In the United States alone, the Anti-Defamation League reported a record high of 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the past year, with 58% of those incidents directly related to Israel. These included chants, speeches, and signs at rallies protesting Israeli policies, reflecting a volatile and polarized atmosphere.
This surge in antisemitism has also strained the Vatican’s relations with the global Jewish community. Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, drew criticism from Jewish and Israeli leaders for comments they perceived as morally equating the Hamas attacks with Israel’s military response in Gaza. Francis did meet with relatives of hostages taken by Hamas and repeatedly called for their release. However, he also called for an investigation into whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constituted genocide and described Israel’s military response as disproportionate—positions that further complicated relations.
Pope Leo XIV, who was installed in May 2025, has not shied away from acknowledging these tensions. During his installation, he met with Jewish leaders and other faith representatives, reiterating the importance of ongoing dialogue even in the face of conflict and misunderstanding. “Even in these difficult times, marked by conflicts and misunderstandings, it is necessary to continue the momentum of this precious dialogue of ours,” Leo said in May, as quoted by the Associated Press.
Rabbi Noam Marans, director of interreligious affairs at the American Jewish Committee, traveled to Rome to participate in the anniversary events. He praised Pope Leo XIV’s willingness to confront the current challenges head-on. Marans expressed hope that the Vatican would maintain and even strengthen its opposition to antisemitism, leveraging its unique global influence. “Never in the relationship of Catholics and Jews since ‘Nostra Aetate’ has the Jewish people been more in need of friends who commit themselves to combating antisemitism with every fiber of their being,” Marans told the Associated Press. He added, “The Catholic Church has one of the largest megaphones available. It has moral suasion that is unparalleled. We hope that they will use all of the tools in their arsenal to double down in that effort.”
The legacy of Nostra Aetate is not merely historical. Its principles have shaped decades of Catholic-Jewish relations, encouraging mutual respect and understanding. The repudiation of the deicide charge and the condemnation of antisemitism were revolutionary steps in 1965, and they continue to serve as moral guideposts for the Church’s engagement with the Jewish community. The Second Vatican Council, during which the document was issued, was itself a period of sweeping modernization for the Catholic Church, redefining its relationship not only with Jews but with other religions and the modern world as a whole.
Yet the work of dialogue is never finished. As the world grapples with renewed violence and polarization, the call for peace and understanding feels as urgent as ever. The events in Rome served as both a reminder of past progress and a challenge for the future. Pope Leo XIV’s message was clear: dialogue is not a static achievement but an ongoing journey—a “journey of the heart” that must continue, especially when the path grows difficult.
The Vatican’s stance carries particular weight in the current climate. With antisemitism on the rise and interfaith relations under strain, the Church’s voice can help shape public attitudes and policies worldwide. Rabbi Marans’s appeal for the Vatican to “double down” in its efforts against antisemitism underscores the high expectations placed on Catholic leadership at this pivotal moment.
As the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate passes, the message from Rome is one of hope and determination. The journey toward understanding and reconciliation, begun six decades ago, must press on—through dialogue, through action, and through the unwavering rejection of hatred in all its forms.