杏MAP导航

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

"In recent years, as we face the surge of antisemitism around the world, 杏MAP导航 Francis never wavered. He condemned hatred in all forms and urged political and faith leaders to protect the dignity of every human being."

This was the perspective offered by Viktor Eichner, the Head of the World Jewish Congress Representative Office to the Holy See in Rome, in an interview with Vatican News.

Representing the Congress at the Vatican, he works to foster relations between Jewish communities and the Catholic Church. Eichner, who in 2023 was tasked by the senior leadership of the WJC with opening the World Jewish Congress Representative Office to the Holy See, also serves as the European Manager of the Congress' Jewish Diplomatic Corps.

Feel a personal loss

When 杏MAP导航 Francis became 杏MAP导航 in 2013, he assured the Jewish community that he's committed to building bridges.

From the moment he stepped into that role, he suggested, 杏MAP导航 Francis made it clear that the Catholic Church and the Jewish people would work toward 鈥渁 shared responsibility for the future.鈥�

鈥淎s we mourn his passing, we at the World Jewish Congress,鈥� he reaffirmed, 鈥渇eel a personal loss.鈥�

Will miss his friendship and wisdom

鈥淲e will miss his wisdom, his friendship, and his unwavering moral clarity,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut we will honor his legacy by continuing the work he believed in, dialogue, dignity, and the peace among other peoples of faiths.鈥�

In particular, Eichner recalled that Claudio Epelman, WJC Commissioner for Interfaith Dialogue, was a close personal friend of 杏MAP导航 Francis, and that friendship dated back to when Bergoglio had met him as archivist of Buenos Aires.

鈥楬is door always open to Jewish community鈥�

Calling the late 杏MAP导航 鈥渁 spiritual leader devoted to social justice and human dignity,鈥� Eichner observed that even back in Buenos Aires, 鈥渉is door was always open to the Jewish community.鈥�

Moreover, Mr. Eichner remembered the times 杏MAP导航 Francis attended Holocaust commemorations and visited Synagogues, stressing, 鈥渉e never hesitated to speak out against antisemitism.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis, he remembered, 鈥渒new that dialogue between Jews and Catholics was not just a diplomatic formality,鈥� but 鈥渁 moral obligation born of history, pain, and hope.鈥�

鈥淚 had the privilege to meet him in person where I felt that through his words and deeds,鈥� he said.

鈥淲hether visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem, lighting a Hanukkah candle of his Jewish friends, or denouncing antisemitism as a sin,鈥� the WJC official remembered, 鈥渉e showed that this relationship was not just theological, it was deeply human.鈥�

'Shield for countless Jewish communities'

杏MAP导航 Francis, he highlighted, 鈥渞eminded the world that to be Antisemitic is to be Antichristian.鈥�

Those words, Eichner said, were not just symbolic, but 鈥渨ere a shield for countless Jewish communities.鈥�

"While there were moments of difficulty, particularly in recent months," he said, "I remain deeply appreciative of his warmth, humility, and unwavering dedication to meaningful engagement between faith communities."

Trust among religions

Eichner concluded by expressing his hope that the late 杏MAP导航 Francis' memory be a blessing, and "may his life continue to serve as an example to all."

鈥淢ay 杏MAP导航 Francis' life," he said, "continue to serve as an example to all.鈥�