Pope Francis
Pope FrancisUri Lenz/POOL/Flash 90

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) commended Pope Francis’s consistent comments about the evil of anti-Semitism on Tuesday, after he stated in a meeting with the Conference of European Rabbis on Monday that every Christian must condemn hatred against Jews. 

Speaking during a meeting with the Conference of the European Rabbis (CER), a first since the organization was founded in 1956, the pope called on all Christians to stand firm against anti-Semitism.

"The anti-Semitic tendencies and certain acts of hatred and violence in Europe are of concern. Every Christian cannot but be firm in the condemnation of all forms of anti-Semitism," he said.

He urged the two faiths to continue the dialogue that had progressed "systematically for almost half a century." 

“Since his election, Pope Francis has consistently and unhesitatingly spoken out against anti-Semitism, thus continuing the tradition of his predecessors since the time of John Paul XXIII and Nostra Aetate,” Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, stated Tuesday. 

“As we see anti-Semitism, religious hatred and violence increasing in the world, the strong stance of the pope and his willingness to make his voice heard are both essential and most welcome," Rabbi David Sandmel, ADL Director of Interfaith Affairs, added.