Pope Leo XIV Reaffirms Church’s Stance Against Antisemitism on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Marking the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Pope Leo XIV joined world leaders in observing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Through a message shared on his X @Pontifex account, the Holy Father emphasized the Catholic Church's absolute rejection of antisemitism and all forms of racial or religious prejudice.

A Legacy of Remembrance

January 27 serves as a global somber reminder of the more than one million lives—predominantly Jewish—lost at the Auschwitz death camp. Since its establishment by the UN in 2005, this day has acted as a bulwark against "fading memory," a concern echoed this year by the Director of the Auschwitz Memorial.

Key Points of the Pope’s Message

  • Adherence to Nostra Aetate: The Pope reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to the landmark 1965 declaration, which fundamentally reshaped the Church’s relationship with the Jewish people.

  • Universal Rejection of Hate: He stated that the Church continues to stand against any discrimination or harassment based on:

    • Ethnicity and Language

    • Nationality

    • Religion

  • A Call for Vigilance: The message serves as a reminder that the Holocaust remains a permanent warning against the dangers of bigotry and racism in the modern world.

The Global Framework for Prevention

The observance also highlights the post-WWII foundations of the United Nations, specifically the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. These documents, alongside the annual Remembrance Day, aim to ensure that the horrors of the past are never repeated.

“The Holocaust will forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.” — UN Resolution on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Source: Vatican News 

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