A May conference at the Pontifical Biblical Institute will urge a reconsideration of prejudices regarding the Pharisees, the ancient Jewish movement that figures often in the New Testament.

Pope Francis is being urged by experts to take greater care when referring to “hypocritical” Pharisees, a stereotype that fueled centuries of bad blood between Catholics and Jews. Catholic ...

"He uses the word 'Pharisee' without thinking of the ancient Pharisees and without making that connection, which for others -- for Jews -- are very present," he said.