lePope Francis on John 8:44DescriptionPope Francis has recently addressed the verse John 8:44 in a letter to the Catholics of the Middle East. The let

Pope Francis has recently addressed the verse John 8:44 in a letter to the Catholics of the Middle East. The letter, which was issued on October 7, 2024, has been met with both gratitude and criticism. The Pope urged everyone to observe a day of prayer and fasting, emphasizing that prayer and fasting are the weapons of love that change history and defeat the spirit of evil.

The verse in question, `You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies,` (John 8:44), has historically been used to justify anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism. However, Pope Francis emphasized that the Church rejects every form of anti-Judaism and anti-Semitism, condemning manifestations of hatred towards Jews and Judaism as a sin against God.

The Pope's letter has been seen as an attempt to address the complex historical context of the verse and its implications. He highlighted the need for prayer and fasting to promote peace and combat evil, urging Catholics to rediscover the saving power of fasting.

#PopeFrancisonJohn8:44DescriptionPopeFrancishasrecentlyaddressedtheverseJohn8:44inalettertotheCatholicsoftheMiddleEast.Theletter,#whichwasissuedonOctober7,#2024,#hasbeenmetwithbothgratitudeandcriticism.ThePopeurg