Netanyahu's Late and Controversial Response to Pope Francis' Death
Israeli Prime Minister Netanjahu offers sympathies to Catholics following the passing of Pope Francis. - Netanyahu addresses Catholics following Pope Francis' demise
Pope Francis' passing sparked a wave of condolences worldwide, but Israel's initial reaction was muted. An initial expression of condolence on an official Israeli government account was eventually deleted, and only President Isaac Herzog publicly expressed his sympathies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, remained tight-lipped until days later.
This silent response contrasted sharply with the strained relations between Netanyahu and Pope Francis. The tension between them began during the Gaza war in 2023, following a radical Islamic Hamas attack. Pope Francis was a vocal critic of Israel's military operations, often describing the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza as "shameful" and even suggesting that Israel's actions could amount to genocide.
Pope Francis's Easter message in 2025 highlighted the plight of Palestinians living in Gaza, while also repeatedly condemning the growing climate of anti-Semitism. The Pontiff passed away at the age of 88 on Easter Monday and was buried in Rome on Saturday.
The delayed and ambivalent response from Israel, including the deletion of the initial condolence message and the barring of diplomats from signing Vatican condolence books, drew internal criticism for damaging Israel's international image. The decision not to send senior leaders to Francis's funeral was seen by some as a deliberate snub, reflecting Israel's displeasure with the Vatican's stance on Gaza.
Israeli Christian leaders accused the government of using the pope's death as an opportunity to signal exclusion, citing reduced funding for Christian schools and perceived indifference to minority grievances. The Foreign Ministry's deleted condolences and funeral decisions amplified these frustrations.
Retired Israeli diplomats condemned the government's actions as a "mark of shame," while Palestinian leaders attended the funeral en masse, drawing a stark contrast with Israel's absence. During wartime, the Vatican had actively engaged with Gaza's Christian community, providing direct outreach to those sheltering in churches, further emphasizing its alignment with Palestinian humanitarian concerns.
- The Pope's passing on Easter Monday elicited condolences worldwide, but initial reactions from Israel were muted, with President Isaac Herzog being the only one to publicly express sympathies, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remained silent.
- Pope Francis's criticism of Israel's military operations during the Gaza war in 2023 and his continued focus on the plight of Palestinians living in Gaza strained relations with Netanyahu.
- Pope Francis's Easter message in 2025 highlighted the plight of Palestinians in Gaza, repeatedly condemning anti-Semitism, and his death drew internal criticism in Israel for the delayed, ambivalent response from the government, which included the deletion of an initial condolence message and the barring of diplomats from signing Vatican condolence books.
- Israeli Christian leaders accused the government of using the Pope's death as an opportunity to signal exclusion, citing reduced funding for Christian schools and perceived indifference to minority grievances, with the Foreign Ministry's deleted condolences and funeral decisions amplifying these frustrations.
