Pope Francis has conferred upon HUC-JIR alum Rabbi James A. Rudin '60 the Papal Knighthood of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great in recognition of his extraordinary leadership in fostering interreligious relations, dialogue, and understanding for over 60 years. Rabbi Rudin is the third American rabbi, including HUC-JIR alum Rabbi Leon Klenicki '67, and the eighth Jew to receive this highest Vatican honor. It is bestowed by the Pope upon individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to society. The Order of St. Gregory the Great was begun by Pope Gregory XVI (1745-1846) in 1831, and named in honor of St. Gregory the Great, who died in 604, and whose writings greatly influenced the Catholic Church. Bishop Mark O’Connell, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston and Vicar General Regional Bishop – North Region, represented the Pope in this ceremony at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida on November 20, 2022. 
​
Rabbi Rudin's illustrious career has spanned serving as the American Jewish Committee's (AJC) senior interreligious adviser and interreligious affairs director, as a distinguished professor of religion and Judaica at Saint Leo University, and as co-founder of the university's Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies. He was a member of the Camp David Presidential Retreat Chapel Committee and co-founded the National Interreligious Task Forces on Soviet Jewry and Black-Jewish Relations.

Rabbi A. James Rudin is a builder of bridges—bridges of mutual respect, knowledge, and understanding between Christians and Jews. And today (November 20), Rudin became only the third American rabbi in history to be honored with the Papal Knighthood of the Order of St. Gregory for his work in interfaith relations.

In an afternoon ceremony at Saint Leo University, Rudin, one of the co-founders of the university’s Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies, received the medal of the Order of St. Gregory from Bishop Mark O’Connell, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Boston. O’Connell conducted the investiture ceremony on behalf of Pope Francis in recognition of Rudin’s decades of work in building positive Catholic-Jewish relations throughout the world, fostering interreligious dialogue and understanding.

Rudin is the American Jewish Committee’s (AJC) senior interreligious adviser, having previously served as its Interreligious Affairs director. He also is a distinguished professor of religion and Judaica at Saint Leo University.
Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley of the Archdiocese of Boston, originally was to conduct the ceremony on behalf of Pope Francis; however, the pope called him to Rome for meetings and he was unable to attend the November 20 event.

Those who have grown up with parents who travel for business knew that their parents were meeting with clients, overseeing businesses and perhaps giving presentations. My dad traveled for business as well. But it was to the Vatican, Camp David, and churches and mosques around the world.

Those growing up as “clergy kids” will agree that it is a different type of childhood. But instead of discussing congregants, synagogue politics and life-cycle events, my sister and I grew up learning about the Oberammergau Passion Play, current and historic Black-Jewish relations, and Nostra Aetate, the Second Vatican Council document adopted in 1965 by the world’s Catholic bishops that has transformed Catholic-Jewish relations.
​
In a few days, my dad, will receive the highest honor granted by the Vatican to non-Catholics; Pope Francis selected him to become a Knight of St. Gregory the Great. He’ll be the third American rabbi to receive such an honor.