JOHN XXIII: (1881-1963) Pope of the Catholic Church 1958-63. A good T.L.S., + Ang. Jos. Roncalli, as Apostolic Nuncio to France, two pages, 4to, Paris, 25^th November 1950, to an unidentified correspondent ('Excellence Reverendissime'), in French. Roncalli writes to communicate the conclusions that have been reached following a carful examination regarding the International Council of Christians and Jews, stating, in part, 'This movement, although having the aim of combating anti-Semitism and defending, led with the support of Christians, the unjustly persecuted Jews, also deals in its congresses and meetings with pedagogical problems, and makes itself the promoter of religious tolerance and perfect equality of the various religious denominations. At the congress of Fribourg a speaker went so far as to maintain that young people should be educated in such a way that they hold 'an absolutely indifferent attitude with regard to nationality, race, religion'. This is why the Em[inent] Fathers…..have established that for a possible participation of the congresses….Catholics must observe the provisions……Provided that they are authorised by the competent ecclesiastical authority, Catholics may take part in the meetings of the International Council of Christians and Jews, but only as observers. It is inappropriate for such permission to be granted to prominent persons in the Catholic world. Likewise, meetings should not be held in the premises of Catholic Institutes……At the same time, we inform Your Excellency that the International Council of Christians and Jews, with the aim of spreading 'the intercultural education' which it primarily seeks to promote in the nations where this would be possible, the constitution of 'the intercultural alliance', in favour of which it solicits the collaboration of Catholics and Protestants'. A letter of interesting content. A few small, minor staple holes to the upper left edge, not affecting the text or signature, VG

Roncalli played an active role in gaining Catholic Church support for the establishment of the State of Israel after 1944. The Nuncio's support for Zionism and the establishment of Israel was the result of his cultural and religious openness toward other faiths and cultures, and especially concern with the fate of Jews after World War II. Roncalli was one of the Vatican's most sympathetic diplomats toward Jewish immigration to Palestine, which he saw as a humanitarian issue, and not a matter of biblical theology.