A new volume of interviews with Pope Francis is being published these days. In it, he refers to the view of lawyers that Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip have genocidal characteristics. From the Pope's point of view, this assessment should be "carefully examined by legal experts and international bodies".
The Pope's statement joins risky statements and problematic patterns of behavior by the Vatican and Francis himself since Hamas' genocidal terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. They need political-theological classification.
Francis differentiates between Israel and Jews – and rightly so. But since he does not position himself sufficiently clearly as pope on terror against the state of Israel as a home for Jews, his theological position is also called into question.
The Pope does not take advice
Again and again, his theological statements are ambivalent: the statement from his programmatic apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium that God continues to work in the people of the Old Covenant is powerful. On the other hand, recurring statements about Pharisees, which he typologically devalues and with which he revives the old anti-Judaic opposition between supposed Jewish legalism and Christian mercy in the spirit of Jesus, have problematic consequences.
Is it theological ignorance? Is it a lack of willingness to learn? Is it about the Pope's self-assurance with the benefits of his teaching skills? The questions can only be asked, not resolved. But a pope who relies on synodality could, no: should, be better advised – especially in the politically and theologically so important and so delicate relationship of the Catholic Church to Israel and Judaism.
This is where an organizational problem in the Vatican has an impact. The Secretariat of State is responsible for foreign policy relations, while a separate commission is responsible for religious relations with Judaism. The latter has not met with its advisors for ten years, and its leader Cardinal Kurt Koch has been silent since October 7 when it was especially necessary to contextualise and clarify statements by Francis. At this juncture, the Pope has no reliable consultant.
Francis' recent statements on the investigation of the genocide accusation against Israel cross a line: that of neutrality, because obviously Francis considers the accusation to be arguable. What's more, the Pope is bringing Israel's behaviour close to genocide. From now on, he himself is a party on international terrain that the Vatican State diplomatically occupies.
This has immediate consequences. Francis' recent statements on the investigation of the genocide accusation against Israel cross a line: that of neutrality, because obviously Francis considers the accusation to be arguable. What's more, the Pope is bringing Israel's behaviour close to genocide. From now on, he himself is a party on international terrain that the Vatican State diplomatically occupies.
The Argentinean's historical conscience seems unencumbered by the symbolic political consequences of his actions on Israel and their theological implications: For Jews worldwide, the question arises as to where the Vicar of Christ stands. For them, this Pope is not a reliable partner or protector for Jews.
This can be seen in the letter that Francis wrote on the anniversary of October 7. In it, he quoted John 8:44, which speaks of the "father of lies". What the Pope refers to as the cause of the war proves to be toxic in the context of the Gospel. There it says: "You have the devil for your father, and you want to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the beginning. And he does not stand in the truth; for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he says what comes from within himself; for he is a liar and is the father of lies." This text cost Jews their lives. It is the locus classicus of Christian anti-Judaism and a source of justification for pogroms up to and including the Shoah.
Where does Francis really stand?
Does the Pope not know what he is citing, or does he nevertheless accept what is repeatedly directed against Israel and thus against Jews? He has neither admitted nor corrected mistakes. And so Jews have to ask themselves where Francis, who sees himself as a friend of Judaism and is a close friend of Rabbi Abraham Skorka from his time as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and who identifies himself as a friend of Judaism, really stands. This is not only a diplomatic issue, but also a theological one in the dialogue between the Catholic Church and Judaism after the Second Vatican Council. The Second Vatican Council wanted to end any form of Catholic anti-Judaism (cf. Nostra Aetate, 4).
A pope must take responsibility for what he communicates with his authority. His highly problematic statements pose a risk for Israel as a state and for Jews worldwide.
Pope Francis also supports this agenda. But with his statements, such as the recent one on the suspicion of genocide against Israel, the Pope is reinforcing the new antisemitism that is flaring up around the world. Of course, he doesn't want that. But a pope must take responsibility for what he communicates with his authority. His highly problematic statements pose a risk for Israel as a state and for Jews worldwide. Riots like the one in Amsterdam this November show how the boundaries in everyday life are shifting and have shifted since October 7: the pressure and risk that Jews in Europe and around the world live under.
Without wanting to, the Pope is playing into the hands of Hamas
This Pope is taking the side of the weakest. His attention is focused on the victims of violence worldwide. That is why he has received relatives of Israeli hostages and released hostages. That is why he is focusing his Christian-humanitarian gaze to the people of Gaza. Their situation is appalling, and everything politically possible must be done to prevent further victims. Israel cannot be released from its humanitarian responsibility towards the Palestinians, even in the war on terror. The actions of the Netanyahu government raise many questions, not least in Israel, especially with regard to settlement policy and the deprivation of rights of Palestinians. But in the war waged by Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran against Israel, terror dictates the law of action – all the way to the Vatican. Without wanting to, the Pope has been playing into Hamas' hands since October 7. On the stage of international outrage, Israel increasingly stands alone, as an enemy. This includes, very concretely, Jews who are identified with Israel and treated with hostility.
Imagine the outcry if Benedict XVI had spoken and acted like his successor.
Imagine the outcry if Benedict XVI had spoken and acted in the same way as his successor. Using such a scene to reflect on the present moment, one can see taking shape the profile of the first Francis on the Chair of Peter with regard to the political and theological dimensions of the State of Israel. While Pius XII's behavior in the face of the Shoah is being researched in the Vatican archives, the focus is once again on a Vicar of Christ: this Pope is failing, not by remaining silent, but by concealing who bear responsibility for the terror of October 7 and since. Any Pope who feeds the suspicion of genocide by Israel has said too much.