After meeting pope, US Jewish leaders do not expect substantial changes from Vatican on Israel

(JNS) - American Jewish leaders, who attended Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass in Rome on Sunday and met with the pontiff at the Vatican the following day, are optimistic about the future of Jewish-Catholic relations. But they told JNS that they remain clear-eyed about what they think is likely to be a continuation of the Church's approach of holding Israel uniquely responsible for the war that Hamas started on Oct. 7, 2023.

"There is a feeling that there is a desire for a renewed moment, but let's be clear. It is unlikely that we're going to see a big change in policy at the Vatican in how they...