06/16/2026
Yesterday was truly unforgettable. A delegation of UJA leadership met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican.
We're grateful to the Pope for recognizing UJA’s critical work supporting vulnerable populations of all backgrounds and for speaking to the urgent issues we care deeply about, including rising antisemitism and our shared responsibility to care for those most in need.
On behalf of the delegation, our CEO, Eric S. Goldstein, thanked the Pope for his words reaffirming the need to fight against antisemitism and respectfully requested that he consider appointing a Special Papal Envoy to combat global antisemitism. (We also thanked him for his enthusiastic support of the Villanova-led Knicks and presented him with a special Pope Leo XIV Knicks jersey for his collection!)
The visit was a profoundly meaningful experience that we'll continue to carry with us.
Read more: https://www.ujafedny.org/news/ujafederation-delegation-meets-his-holiness-pope-leo-xiv-at-the-vatican-