Catholicism and Zionism

Catholicism– the largest branch of Christianity in the world– has a history of interaction with Zionism– the Jewish nationalist ideology that began as a movement for a Jewish state in the southern Levant, and which today serves as the "guiding ideology" of its successful creation, the State of Israel.

The relationship between Catholicism and Zionism includes theological, historical, and social aspects, and has sometimes overlapped with Catholic–Jewish relations. The geographic region of Palestine is of profound religious importance to Catholics, who consider it the Holy Land, and of profound national importance to Zionists, through its historical and religious role as the Land of Israel.

The Catholic Church rejects a theological basis for Zionism, and historically opposed it. Nonetheless, the Vatican opened diplomatic relations with the Israeli state in 1993, a decision based in recognition of political and civic reality, rather than on Christian Zionist theology. Today, the Vatican recognizes both Israel and the State of Palestine, and advocates for a two-state solution. Importantly, Catholic doctrine does not formally dictate its adherents' individual political attitudes towards Israel's existence. Therefore, a diversity of worldwide Catholic opinion on the subject exists.

Also of relevance is the role of Catholic figures in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, both in the region and outside it, as well as Israeli attitudes and practices towards the Vatican and local Catholics.