Catholic Theologians Urge Pope Leo XIV for Magisterial Declaration on Israel’s Legitimacy

Catholic theologians have taken an unprecedented step by directly petitioning Pope Leo XIV to issue a magisterial declaration acknowledging the theological legitimacy of the State of Israel. In an open letter dated June 22, 2026, Father Antoine Lévy and Professor André Villeneuve, members of Catholics for Israel, highlighted that the Holy See has yet to provide any formal theological recognition of Israel’s existence. They argued that this deliberate silence is being exploited by influential Catholic figures who propagate antisemitic narratives against Israel.
The theologians contend that high-profile Catholic voices, such as Matt Fradd, Candace Owens, and Carrie Prejean Boller, are leveraging the Church’s lack of statement to systematically vilify the State of Israel. Fradd’s “Small Catechism on Christian Zionism” allegedly interprets Israel’s political reality without affirming its scriptural fulfillment, a view Villeneuve previously described as “rhetorical demonization.” Owens has characterized Israel as “demonic,” while Boller reportedly stated that Catholics “do not embrace Zionism,” further contributing to the campaign against the Jewish nation.
Citing the “unparalleled campaign of calumny” against Israel since October 7, 2023, the letter emphasizes that the Church’s silence inadvertently provides fuel for these antisemitic voices. By not offering a clear theological position, the Holy See allows critics to question the Catholic Church’s relationship with Israel and its stance on the Jewish people, potentially undermining the progress made at the Second Vatican Council.
Father Lévy and Professor Villeneuve, who possess advanced theological training from institutions in Rome and Jerusalem, stress that the absence of a magisterial statement creates a vacuum filled with misinformation. They believe that a formal declaration from the Pope could help clarify the Church’s position and counteract the deliberate efforts to sever ties between Catholicism and the Jewish people.
The letter underscores the gravity of the situation, noting that without a definitive statement from the Holy See, the “theological legitimacy” of Israel remains ambiguous. This ambiguity, they argue, is being used maliciously to perpetuate antisemitism within the Catholic community and beyond, urging the Pope to address this critical gap in the Church’s teaching.

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