Pope Leo XIV says in a statement that he wishes to "entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist massacre carried out yesterday in Sydney against the Jewish community". He adds: "Enough with this antisemitic violence! Let us eliminate hatred from our hearts." The pontiff also asks people to pray together for everyone who suffers as a result of war or violence.

Image source, Reuters

Pope Leo XIV says in a statement that he wishes to "entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist massacre carried out yesterday in Sydney against the Jewish community".

He adds: "Enough with this antisemitic violence! Let us eliminate hatred from our hearts."

The pontiff also asks people to pray together for everyone who suffers as a result of war or violence.

https://www.bbc.com/news/live/ckgk391yzm7t?post=asset%3Aeb76d7d9-9787-4d9d-8573-8d240ae48450#post 

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Pope Leo XIV holds an audience in the Paul VI Hall with donors of the St. Peter's Square Christmas tree and Nativity scene 

Pope remembers victims of Sydney attack: ‘Enough with antisemitic violence!’

Speaking with the groups that donated this year’s Vatican Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene, Pope Leo highlights God’s closeness to humanity and calls for prayers for those who suffer on account of war and violence, especially the victims of Sunday’s terror attack on the Jewish community in Sydney, Australia.

By Christopher Wells

Nativity scenes and Christmas trees are “signs of faith and hope”, Pope Leo said on Monday, inviting the faithful as they contemplate them to “ask the Lord to renew within us the gift of peace and fraternity”.

The Holy Father went on to ask for prayers for all those suffering due to war and violence, especially victims of the terrorist attack against the Jewish community in Sydney on Sunday, whom he entrusted to the Lord.

“Enough with these forms of antisemitic violence!” Pope Leo said. “We must eliminate hatred from our hearts.”

A mystery of humility and love

Pope Leo’s remarks came during an encounter with representatives of the communities that donated the Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene for Saint Peter’s Square, and the Nativity Scene set up in the Paul VI Hall, where Monday’s audience took place.

The Nativity Scene in St Peter’s Square – from the Diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno outside of Naples – will remind pilgrims from around the world “that God draws near to humanity, becomes one of us, enters into our history with the smallness of a child,” the Pope said.

He recalled that “in the poverty of the stable in Bethlehem, we contemplate a mystery of humility and love” that invites us to “rediscover ourselves and enter into communion with God.”

A sign of life and hope

Greeting representatives of the “beautiful land” of Bolzano in northern Italy, who donated the 25-meter Norway spruce that stands next to the Creche in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo recalled that the Christmas tree “is a sign of life and evokes the hope that never fails, even in the cold of winter.”

At the same time, the lights on the tree symbolize Jesus Christ, “the light of the world, Who came to dispel the darkness of sin and illuminate our path.”... READ MORE  https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-12/pope-leo-xiv-sydney-attack-enough-of-antisemitic-violence.html

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2025-12/bondi-beach-shooting-hanukkah-australia-terrorism.html 

At least eleven killed in Australia shooting during Jewish festival

Officials believe two men were involved in a shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia.

... The Muslim Council of Elders, meanwhile, "strongly condemned" the mass shooting, calling for the strengthening of "international efforts to combat hate speech, extremism, and racism, while also addressing the root causes of such reprehensible violence, by promoting dialogue and mutual respect".