I am glad that the Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations has been opened in Lublin, Pope Francis stressed during the general audience in St. Peter’s Square in Rome on Wednesday, October 19.

‘I extend my warm greetings to all Poles. The need to explore one’s own life, also applies to entire nations. It is worth learning about the history of one’s homeland to see the traces of God’s presence present in it,” the Pope said, addressing the pilgrims.

The Pope stressed that he was pleased that a Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations had been opened in Lublin. “I hope that it will foster the appreciation of the common heritage, not only of the two religions, but also of the two peoples. I bless you from the heart,” Pope Francis said.

The Abraham J. Heschel Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations is a new scientific and educational unit of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. It is intended to deepen Catholic-Jewish relations on the scientific, educational and cultural levels internationally. The ceremony of inauguration took place on October 17, 2022. Among those attending the opening were Prof. Susannah Heschel, daughter of Prof. Abraham J. Heschel, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa and representatives of the Jewish and Catholic communities.

Special words were addressed, inter alia, by Prof. Rabbi Abraham Skorka, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki, President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, and Archbishop Stanisław Budzik, Metropolitan of Lublin.

The initiator and founder of the Abraham J. Heschel Center for Catholic-Jewish Relations of the Catholic University of Lublin is Rev. Prof. Miroslaw Kalinowski, rector of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. The following have been appointed to the Board: director – Rev. Prof. Miroslaw Wróbel, and deputies: Dr. Witold Mędykowski, Rev. Dr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik.

More information: Exaudi