Popes and Jews, 1095-1291

This chapter examines the relationship of popes with Jewish communities through­

out Europe through the medium of their correspondence. From papal rhetoric we

learn much about the Church’s traditional teaching regarding the Jews. From

Gregory the Great onwards popes made it clear that, although their refusal to rec­

ognize Christ estranged them from Christian society, Jews were to be protected

by  Christians and allowed to practice their religion unharmed. This stance of

comparative toleration and its accompanying rhetoric stemmed from St Paul and

St Augustine. Yet, as we emphasized in the Introduction, papal pronouncements

about Jews were primarily responsive—when Christians complained to popes about

Jewish activities, popes responded to these concerns. Following the reforms of the

eleventh century, the influence of papal rhetoric must be understood in the context

of the increase in the papacy’s temporal power in the twelfth and thirteenth cen­

turies and the expansion of the papal states which increased its confidence in its

role as the ultimate spiritual authority in Europe.

ThE TrAdITIonAl rhETorIC oF ThE ChurCh

In romans 11 Paul had argued that the Jews would be reconciled to the Christian

faith at the end of days:1

let me put another question then: have the Jews fallen forever, or have they just stum­

bled? obviously they have not fallen forever: their fall, though, has saved the pagans

in a way the Jews may now well emulate. Think of the extent to which the world, the

pagan world, has benefited from their fall and defection—then think how much more

it will benefit from the conversion of them all.2

he had also stated that at the end a remnant of Israel would be saved:

1 For biblical references, see Biblia sacra iuxta Vulgatam versionem, 2 vols, 2nd edn, ed. r. Weber
(Stuttgart, 1975).
2 romans 11: 11–12, Biblia sacra iuxta Vulgatam versionem, Vol. 2, ed. Weber: ‘... dico ergo
numquid sic offenderunt ut caderent absit sed illorum delicto salus gentibus ut illos aemulentur quod
si delictum illorum divitiae sunt mundi et deminutio eorum divitiae gentium quanto magis plenitude
eorum... ’.

8

Papal rhetoric

Heretics, Muslims, and Jews