Jews Welcome Pope's Move on Latin Prayer

A Jewish group has welcomed the Vatican's suggestion that a little-used traditional prayer for the conversion of Jews, which it views as antisemitic, could be dropped from a revived Latin rite.

The Simon Wiesenthal Centre said in statement on Friday that the prayer "considered offensive and dangerous to Jews" could be interpreted by some as justifying antisemitism and urged the Vatican to move quickly to ensure it is ruled out.

The Pope's number two said earlier this week that the Vatican might consider substituting the passage in the Good Friday prayer book which asks that God remove the "veil" from Jewish hearts so that they would recognise Jesus Christ.