JewishCatholicIsraelVaticanRel

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course will focus on the unique and complex relationship between Jews and Catholics and Israel and the Vatican. We will analyze the transformation of these relations in the twentieth century from animosity to friendship and mutual respect. Special emphasis will be given to the recent tension in the relations since October 7th 2023. We will discuss the teachings of the Church fathers and the positions of recent Popes on Judaism and Israel. Historical milestones and documents in Catholic Jewish and Vatican Israel relations will be discussed. The intersection of diplomacy, politics, and religion, and the role of religious leaders and interfaith dialogue in conflict resolution will be discussed.