Israel’s official social media account briefly posted and then deleted a message mourning the death of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 22 at age 88. The post on X read, “Rest in Peace, Pope Francis. May his memory be a blessing,” accompanied by an image of the pope at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. No official explanation was given for the deletion, but The Jerusalem Post cited Israeli foreign ministry officials who claimed the post was made in “error,” referring to the late pontiff’s critical remarks on Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Pope Francis had previously expressed concern over the war in Gaza, calling the humanitarian crisis “shameful” and questioning whether Israel’s actions could be considered genocide. These comments stirred backlash from Israeli officials and some Jewish leaders, including Rome’s chief rabbi, who accused Francis of "selective indignation."
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained silent on the pope’s death, Israeli President Isaac Herzog issued a formal message of condolence, calling Francis “a man of deep faith and boundless compassion.”
Relations between the Catholic Church and Judaism have seen significant improvement in recent decades. Pope Francis notably condemned antisemitism and maintained close contact with Gaza’s Christian community during the ongoing conflict with Hamas, speaking to them regularly. His 2014 visit to the Holy Land included prayers at the Western Wall and a symbolic gesture at Israel’s separation barrier near Bethlehem, underscoring his commitment to interfaith dialogue and peace.
The deleted Israeli tribute reflects the complex intersection of diplomacy, religion, and geopolitical tensions as global reactions continue following the pope’s passing and ongoing scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza.