The Tikvah Podcast

Benedict Kiely on Pope Francis and the State of Jewish-Catholic Relations

Apr 25, 2025
Benedict Kiely, a Catholic priest from Canterbury and founder of Nasarean.org, discusses the legacy of Pope Francis and his significant ties to the Jewish community and the Middle East. Kiely reflects on the importance of Catholic-Jewish relations and the challenges faced by Christian communities in the Middle East, especially in Iraq. He also entertains the possibility of Cardinal Pizzaballa becoming the first Middle Eastern pope and its implications for religious dynamics and civilizational priorities. This insightful conversation navigates the complexities of faith in modern times.
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INSIGHT

Mixed Legacy of Pope Francis

  • Pope Francis's legacy in Catholic-Jewish relations is mixed and less clear than that of his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
  • He continued dialogue but made some statements during conflicts that troubled many Jewish people.
ANECDOTE

Supporting Middle Eastern Christians

  • Christians have lived in the Middle East for 2,000 years, facing varied levels of persecution since the rise of Islam.
  • Father Benedict helps support persecuted Christians economically to keep them in their ancestral homelands.
ANECDOTE

Father Ben’s Middle East Journey

  • Father Benedict began his Middle East mission after hearing of ISIS's impact on Christians in Iraq in 2014.
  • He visited early refugee camps and has since made multiple trips, sometimes with armed protection.
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