Simon Wiesenthal Center Wishes Pope Francis a Quick and Full Recovery

March 30, 2023

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) is wishing Pope Francis a speedy and complete recovery after he was hospitalized with a respiratory infection on Wednesday.

Over the years, the SWC has had numerous private audiences with Pope Francis at the Vatican including on the 78th anniversary of the infamous Wannsee Conference and on the eve of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau. In 2022, a 30-member SWC international delegation met with Pope Francis to present a facsimile of an original report authored and signed by Adolf Hitler in which he openly espouses the destruction of the Jewish people by “a government of national strength.” The facsimile, who’s original is displayed at the SWC’s Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, was presented to His Holiness by SWC founder and CEO Rabbi Marvin Hier and Dawn Arnall, chairwoman of the leading NGO for Jewish human rights.

Rabbi Hier with Dawn Arnall, SWC Chairwoman present 1919 Hitler letter to Pope Francis at Vatican audience, June 2022 Copyright Vatican Media

Founder and CEO of the SWC Rabbi Marvin Hier and the Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director of the SWC Rabbi Abraham Cooper issued the following statement:

“On behalf of everyone at the Simon Wiesenthal Center and especially those of us who have honor to have dialogues with you at the Vatican and in the Kingdom of Bahrain, we want to wish you a speedy recovery that will enable you to lead your flock during the holy season for Christians. We continue to be inspired by your commitment to make this a better world for all and for your longstanding friendship with the Jewish people. Refuah Shlaimah Haclhamah Mehira! (Hebrew for: May G-d grant you ‘a speedy and full healing and a return to full strength!’).”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Shawn Rodgers at srodgers@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization numbering over 400.000 members. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).