Pope Leo XIV Condemns Antisemitic Violence Following Sydney Massacre: ‘We Must Eliminate Hatred’

Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the recent antisemitic terror attack in Sydney that targeted a Hanukkah celebration, leaving at least 15 people dead and dozens wounded.

Speaking during an audience with donors of the Vatican’s Christmas decorations on Monday, the pontiff specifically addressed the violence that occurred when a father and son opened fire on crowds gathered at a “Chanukah by the Sea” event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

“We pray for those who suffer from war and violence, in particular today I want to entrust to the Lord the victims of the terrorist attack in Sydney against the Jewish community,” Pope Leo stated. “Enough of these forms of antisemitic violence! We must eliminate hatred from our hearts.”

The pope also sent an official telegram of condolence to the Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher, expressing hope that “those tempted by violence will undergo conversion and seek the path of peace and solidarity.” The message, signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, reinforced the pontiff’s prayers for victims and his call for peace.

The deadly attack at Bondi Beach targeted hundreds of people who had gathered to celebrate the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. One of the gunmen was shot and killed by police, while the other was hospitalized with injuries. The shooting has been widely condemned as an act of antisemitic terrorism.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the massacre as “an act of pure evil, an act of antisemitism, an act of terrorism” and vowed to strengthen the country’s already strict gun laws in response.

Amid the tragedy, a man identified as Ahmed al Ahmed has been praised as a hero for tackling and disarming one of the gunmen. Al Ahmed was shot during his brave intervention but is reportedly recovering in hospital.

The pope’s condemnation of antisemitic violence comes at a time of rising global concern about attacks targeting Jewish communities. His comments reflect the Vatican’s increasingly vocal stance against religious and ethnic hatred in various forms.

During the same Vatican audience, Pope Leo also delivered a strong anti-abortion message while discussing Christmas decorations. He described the evergreen fir trees donated by various Italian regions as symbols of “faith and hope” and “a sign of life and recall the hope that isn’t lacking even in the winter cold.”

The pontiff drew particular attention to a nativity scene in the Vatican’s audience hall, donated by Costa Rica, which featured 28,000 ribbons representing embryos that were not aborted. “Each of these 28,000 colored ribbons that decorate the scene represent a life saved from abortion thanks to the prayer and support provided by Catholic organizations to many mothers in need,” he explained.

Leo thanked the artist for creating a message affirming that “life is protected from conception,” reinforcing the Catholic Church’s longstanding position on abortion.

The pope’s dual messages — condemning antisemitic violence while advocating for the protection of unborn life — highlight the Vatican’s continued focus on what it considers core human dignity issues across different contexts.

As the holiday season continues, Pope Leo called for the “gift of peace and fraternity,” emphasizing the need for unity and compassion during what has become a difficult period marked by violence and division in many parts of the world.