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Reflecting on the Loss of Pope Francis, and the Church’s Views of the Jewish People
Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni speaks with Pope Francis during an inter-religious prayer for peace at the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, Oct. 25, 2022. Photo: REUTERS/Remo Casilli
This past Passover, I had the privilege to meet Archbishop Thomas Wenski, who delivered a powerful message about antisemitism and support for the Jewish community at the annual leadership seder hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) of Miami and Broward.
As an Israeli, my upbringing within an ultra-Orthodox Hasidic community in Jerusalem was guided by rabbis who influenced every decision my family made, instilling in me a strong sense of identity and community. Never did I imagine that one day I would have the chance to meet a highly respected leader of the Catholic Church in Miami — the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Miami.
Archbishop Wenski, who served under Pope Francis — who sadly passed away this week — spoke passionately about antisemitism and reiterated his unwavering support for the Jewish people. He emphasized the evolving relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community, whom they regard as older brothers and an integral part of their collective faith. He acknowledged our shared spiritual heritage and the urgent need to foster a deeper sense of unity, respect, and commitment to combating antisemitism.
He highlighted that the teachings of various popes over the past eight decades unequivocally denounce antisemitism as a sin.
Specifically, he referenced the insights of Pope John Paul II, explaining that in the aftermath of the Holocaust, four popes — Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis — have played significant roles in reshaping the Church’s perspective. This shift has led to a noteworthy recognition of Jews as brothers in faith and a steadfast commitment to combating hate and discrimination in all its forms.
The passing of Pope Francis, marked the loss of a reformer known for his dedication to “the poorest” and his commitment to building relationships with Jewish people. On February 2, 2024, Pope Francis addressed his “Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel,” firmly denouncing any form of antisemitism as “a sin against God.”
I often remind people from all walks of life that Israel is a land where various religions can coexist harmoniously, including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Druze, among others. Each of these communities contributes to the rich mosaic of our society, bringing with them their traditions, languages, and histories connected to the land of Israel.
Pope Francis will be missed — and I hope his successor will also be a stalwart for the Jewish people.
Ayelet Raymond is an Israel activist, and the creative force behind the @Kosher Barbie character and social media personality. She is also the titleholder of Miss Universe Israel Netanya,
The post Reflecting on the Loss of Pope Francis, and the Church’s Views of the Jewish People first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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After False Dawns, Gazans Hope Trump Will Force End to Two-Year-Old War
Palestinians walk past a residential building destroyed in previous Israeli strikes, after Hamas agreed to release hostages and accept some other terms in a US plan to end the war, in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Exhausted Palestinians in Gaza clung to hopes on Saturday that US President Donald Trump would keep up pressure on Israel to end a two-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced the entire population of more than two million.
Hamas’ declaration that it was ready to hand over hostages and accept some terms of Trump’s plan to end the conflict while calling for more talks on several key issues was greeted with relief in the enclave, where most homes are now in ruins.
“It’s happy news, it saves those who are still alive,” said 32-year-old Saoud Qarneyta, reacting to Hamas’ response and Trump’s intervention. “This is enough. Houses have been damaged, everything has been damaged, what is left? Nothing.”
GAZAN RESIDENT HOPES ‘WE WILL BE DONE WITH WARS’
Ismail Zayda, 40, a father of three, displaced from a suburb in northern Gaza City where Israel launched a full-scale ground operation last month, said: “We want President Trump to keep pushing for an end to the war, if this chance is lost, it means that Gaza City will be destroyed by Israel and we might not survive.
“Enough, two years of bombardment, death and starvation. Enough,” he told Reuters on a social media chat.
“God willing this will be the last war. We will hopefully be done with the wars,” said 59-year-old Ali Ahmad, speaking in one of the tented camps where most Palestinians now live.
“We urge all sides not to backtrack. Every day of delay costs lives in Gaza, it is not just time wasted, lives get wasted too,” said Tamer Al-Burai, a Gaza City businessman displaced with members of his family in central Gaza Strip.
After two previous ceasefires — one near the start of the war and another earlier this year — lasted only a few weeks, he said; “I am very optimistic this time, maybe Trump’s seeking to be remembered as a man of peace, will bring us real peace this time.”
RESIDENT WORRIES THAT NETANYAHU WILL ‘SABOTAGE’ DEAL
Some voiced hopes of returning to their homes, but the Israeli military issued a fresh warning to Gazans on Saturday to stay out of Gaza City, describing it as a “dangerous combat zone.”
Gazans have faced previous false dawns during the past two years, when Trump and others declared at several points during on-off negotiations between Hamas, Israel and Arab and US mediators that a deal was close, only for war to rage on.
“Will it happen? Can we trust Trump? Maybe we trust Trump, but will Netanyahu abide this time? He has always sabotaged everything and continued the war. I hope he ends it now,” said Aya, 31, who was displaced with her family to Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
She added: “Maybe there is a chance the war ends at October 7, two years after it began.”
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Mass Rally in Rome on Fourth Day of Italy’s Pro-Palestinian Protests
A Pro-Palestinian demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag during a national protest for Gaza in Rome, Italy, October 4, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Claudia Greco
Large crowds assembled in central Rome on Saturday for the fourth straight day of protests in Italy since Israel intercepted an international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza, and detained its activists.
People holding banners and Palestinian flags, chanting “Free Palestine” and other slogans, filed past the Colosseum, taking part in a march that organizers hoped would attract at least 1 million people.
“I’m here with a lot of other friends because I think it is important for us all to mobilize individually,” Francesco Galtieri, a 65-year-old musician from Rome, said. “If we don’t all mobilize, then nothing will change.”
Since Israel started blocking the flotilla late on Wednesday, protests have sprung up across Europe and in other parts of the world, but in Italy they have been a daily occurrence, in multiple cities.
On Friday, unions called a general strike in support of the flotilla, with demonstrations across the country that attracted more than 2 million, according to organizers. The interior ministry estimated attendance at around 400,000.
Italy’s right-wing government has been critical of the protests, with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suggesting that people would skip work for Gaza just as an excuse for a longer weekend break.
On Saturday, Meloni blamed protesters for insulting graffiti that appeared on a statue of the late Pope John Paul II outside Rome’s main train station, where Pro-Palestinian groups have been holding a protest picket.
“They say they are taking to the streets for peace, but then they insult the memory of a man who was a true defender and builder of peace. A shameful act committed by people blinded by ideology,” she said in a statement.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive after Hamas terrorists staged a cross border attack on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people and taking 251 people hostage.
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Hamas Says It Agrees to Release All Israeli Hostages Under Trump Gaza Plan
Smoke rises during an Israeli military operation in Gaza City, as seen from the central Gaza Strip, October 2, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas
Hamas said on Friday it had agreed to release all Israeli hostages, alive or dead, under the terms of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal, and signaled readiness to immediately enter mediated negotiations to discuss the details.