May 8, 2025 — New York, NY
American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, congratulates the Catholic Church and Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV, on his election as the 267th pope, succeeding the late Pope Francis. He is the first American to lead the Church.
“We look forward to a close relationship with Pope Leo XIV as we continue to advance positive Catholic-Jewish relations for the benefit of Catholics, Jews, and all of humanity,” said Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC Director of Interreligious Affairs. “In this sixtieth anniversary year of Nostra Aetate, when we celebrate and reflect upon the positive transformation of Catholic-Jewish relations, we stand ready to work with Pope Leo XIV to assure that past successes are affirmed and furthered and new challenges are met with confident collaboration.”
As we enter a new papal era, AJC remains committed to vibrant conversations and actions that secure and further Catholic-Jewish relations, redouble the fight against resurgent antisemitism, persecution of Christians and all forms of hate, and fulfill the promise of Holy See-Israel relations.
Through its global architecture and expertise, AJC leads in advancing Catholic-Jewish relations in the United States, Israel, Rome, and worldwide. AJC's Rome office works with the Vatican to advance interreligious relations and cultivate a dialogue of trust and cooperation around our common commitment to countering antisemitism and all forms of bigotry.
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York, 25 regional offices across the United States, 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC’s mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world. For more, please visit www.ajc.org.
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