This afternoon, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received a telephone call from His Excellency Isaac Herzog, President of the State of Israel, on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas holidays and of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

During the conversation, in light of the recent terrorist attack in Sydney, the Holy Father reiterated the Catholic Church’s firm condemnation of all forms of antisemitism, which, throughout the world, continues to sow fear in Jewish communities and in society as a whole.

Moreover, the Holy Father renewed his appeal for perseverance in the various ongoing peace processes in the region, and emphasized the urgency of intensifying and continuing efforts in the area of humanitarian aid.