Pope Francis visited the Great Synagogue of Rome Sunday, becoming only the third Catholic leader in modern times to visit the Jewish house of prayer.

Francis spoke at the synagogue in an effort to demonstrate interfaith solidarity in the wake of recent religiously motivated violence around the world, and to condemn anti-Semitism. The Pope’s remarks were met with a generally positive response, according to the Associated Press.

“The hatred that comes from racism and bias or worse which uses God’s name or words to kill deserves our contempt and our firm condemnation,” said Ruth Dureghello, president of the Rome’s Jewish community, according to the AP.

Read the article “What Does the Pope’s Synagogue Visit Mean for Jews and Christians?” on csmonitor.com.