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Jewish writer Edith Steinschreiber Bruck, a Holocaust survivor who now lives in Rome, wrote a letter of thanks to Pope Francis for his statements during his recent meeting with the Jewish community in Slovakia. The Pope had stated that the Holocaust “dishonored” the name of God.
Edith Steinschreiber Bruck is a native of Hungary, but has lived in Italy since she was 20 years old. In her youth she was imprisoned by the Nazis, together with her parents and three siblings, in the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Dachau.
Her parents and one of her siblings died during their brutal confinement in the death camps, while Edith and her other brother and sister survived long enough to be rescued by Allied troops in 1945.
Holocaust survivor
After that traumatic period, Edith sought to rebuild her life and became a writer of short stories, novels, plays, and screenplays. Among her most important works are her memoirs published in 1959 about her experiences in the concentration camps. She has also directed films in Italy, and more recently has been lecturing in schools and universities about the Holocaust.
Pope Francis was at the writer’s home in Rome for a visit on February 20, 2021.
Now, she has written to the pontiff and sent him the letter through Italian journalist Stefano Maria Paci, who delivered it to the pope during his flight back to Rome from Slovakia.
Here is the text of Edith’s missive, as reported by Sky tg24 and other sources:
Dear Pope Francis,
Your words about antisemitism, which has never been eradicated, are more relevant today than ever, not only in the countries you are visiting, but throughout Europe. I hope that your visit will have positive effects.
I have been following you and listening to your fundamental words, which cannot leave anyone indifferent in places where evil has taken over. May God accompany each of your steps of peace, of coexistence, and open hearts and consciences that are still unclear!
I hope that your voice and the warmth it emanates will reach out and touch and awaken the goodness that is within everyone. Sometimes even in the deepest darkness, light finds a way to advance. I know this and so I live and hope.
I heard from my Hungarian friends that you left a trail of love.
Thank you for staying with us as long as possible.
With gratitude and infinite thanks, a hug from your “sister” Edith
And today we celebrate...