Pope condemns resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe

 Pope Francis on Monday condemned a "worrying" resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe and urged the continuation of dialogue between Christians and Jews, AFP reports.

Speaking during a meeting with the Conference of the European Rabbis (CER), a first since the organisation was founded in 1956, the pope called on all Christians to stand firm against anti-Semitism.

"The anti-Semitic tendencies and certain acts of hatred and violence in Europe are of concern. Every Christian cannot but be firm in the condemnation of all forms of anti-Semitism," he said.

He urged the two faiths to continue the dialogue that had progressed "systematically for almost half a century".

Pope Francis has made interfaith dialogue a cornerstone of his papacy and has spoken out against anti-Semitism in the past.

Monday's comments come comes after a spate of anti-Semitic attacks in Europe.

In January, four Jews were killed in a series of Islamist attacks in Paris and the following month a Jewish man was killed outside a synagogue in twin shootings in Copenhagen.

Moscow's Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who is also president of CER, said Jews in Europe were the "collateral damage" of an anti-Muslim offensive orchestrated by the extreme right.

The CER is one of the leading voices of Judaism in Europe and brings together more than 700 Jewish religious leaders.