His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, was honoured with the annual Bridge Award of the Council of Christians and Jews on October 28th, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, by CCJ President Rabbi Josh Levy, Progressive Judaism Co-Lead. The ceremony was graciously hosted at the Anglican Centre in Rome by Bishop Anthony Ball, Director of the Centre.
A delegation comprising senior representatives from the Jewish and Christian communities in the United Kingdom traveled to Rome to formally present the Bridge Award and to participate in an international conference hosted by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. The delegation included Reverend Canon Mark Madden, representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, as well as CCJ Trustees such as Dr. Ed Kessler, CCJ Chair Bishop Sarah Bullock, CCJ Vice President Henry Grunwald, among others.
Cardinal Pizzaballa serves as the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, overseeing the most senior Roman Catholic ecclesiastical position in the Holy Land. A member of the Franciscan Order, he has dedicated over 35 years to ministering within the region, engaging with both Palestinian Catholics and Hebrew-speaking communities, and actively participating in interfaith dialogue initiatives. In 2023, he was elevated to the College of Cardinals by Pope Francis. In October 2023, he gained international recognition for publicly offering himself in exchange for Israeli hostages taken by Hamas. Additionally, he is a committed supporter of the pastoral and humanitarian needs of Palestinian Christians in the West Bank and at the Holy Family Church in Gaza City.
The day of the award ceremony, the 28th of October, also marks the 60th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the significant Vatican II document which marked a positive turning in the Roman Catholic Church’s teaching about Judaism and an openness to interfaith dialogue.
Upon accepting the award, His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa remarked: “I am honoured to receive this recognition from CCJ, an organisation exemplifying the values of dialogue and collaboration that are essential in today’s world. The challenges and conflicts faced in the Middle East are indeed significant, yet there remains optimism for a more peaceful future. This is a pivotal moment to foster understanding and cooperation, and I hope that the Christian community can contribute meaningfully towards these efforts.
Bishop Sarah Bullock, Chair of CCJ, said: “His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa is a courageous advocate for interfaith dialogue, peace and safety for all in the Middle East. In this anniversary year of Nostra Aetate, we need this vision of hope again.”
Rabbi Josh Levy, President of the CCJ and Co-Lead of Progressive Judaism, stated:
“His Beatitude Cardinal Pizzaballa’s acknowledgment of the suffering experienced by Jewish communities worldwide following the events of October 7th, as well as the pain endured by many due to innocent casualties in Gaza, serves as an exemplary model of compassion and understanding for us all.”
Established in 2017 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of CCJ, the Bridge Award is presented annually to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and significant contributions in fostering understanding and building meaningful connections between diverse communities, within Christian-Jewish relations or in broader intercultural contexts.
Recent recipients include His Majesty King Charles III; the late former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, scholar Amy-Jill Levine, Lord (Jacob) Rothschild z’l, Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks z’l, and the Smith family for their work on Holocaust education. The most recent recipient is Holocaust survivor and educator Mala Tribich MBE.