“First, I don’t think Pope Francis is saying it’s simply OK for Jews (or anybody else) to be and remain far from Jesus.”
On the contrary, I think he is saying it. He declares the current situation, since the Second Vatican Council, to be “more and more in harmony with the will of the Creator”.
Just today at a meeting with the secular press, he did not profess the Social Reign of Christ the King. Instead, he merely described the role of Christ as “pastor of the church”. At the end of meeting, he gave his apostolic blessing in silence so as not to offend any non-Catholics. I think this Pope has very little intention to convert people to the Catholic Church.
One would be obliged to seek a clarification of just WHY in "the current situation" is more and more in harmony with the will of God. If he means "peaceful and respectful relations between Jews and Catholics," --- as contrasted with the hostilities of earlier eras --- he would be right. If he means "religious indifferentism," he would be wrong.
As you know, rash judgment consists in making a negative judgment without evidence, with insufficient evidence, or against evidence. I think charging that the Pope "has very little intention to convert people to the Catholic Church" is based on little to no evidence --- so far. I would need more information before I would risk the sin of false witness against the Holy Father on that score.
That's still forbidden by the Ten Commandments.
I don't expect the man to detail the whole plan of his mission in the first week of his ponitificate.
Keep in mind thats the Left is going berserk in hatred for him at present (charges of "Fascist!" "and "Homophobic bigot!" flying through the blogosphere) because he held the line against sexual unchastity and Liberation Theology among the Jesuits. Plus, he took the name of two saints (Francis of Assisi and Francis Xavier) who vowed the conversion of the Muslims.
I do not like anti-Francis animus. I will not tolerate it. Be well advised of that.